29 MINDFULNESS

Skills and Lessons Learned during the 2020 Pandemic: A Behavior Analytic View of Honing Mindfulness, Awareness, and Kindness

Abstract

Throughout our lives, we learn to adapt to new situations, places, and people. We learn to speak new languages, access new technology, and use different tools for everyday living. We inadvertently create behavior change for ourselves and those around us through our behaviors and attitudes. Inspired by the words of B.F. Skinner “we can save the world with behavior analysis,” this chapter provides a simple yet straightforward approach to applying some of the principles learned from behavior analysis while pulling from other disciplines to hone mindfulness, awareness, and most importantly, to encourage kindness within ourselves and those around us. Making an impact on our world and fighting for social change can and should begin with our own behaviors.

Keywords

mindfulness

awareness

kindness

pandemic

establishing operation

self-compassion

abolishing operation

happiness

well being

positive psychology

mentalistic

self-awareness

self-care

goal setting

self-monitoring

behavior contract

ratio strain

Human Behavior (1965)

reinforcement

psychological flexibility

compassion

empathy

anxiety

About

Michelle L. Zube

Jessica L. Fuller

M.S., BCBA

Jessica L. Fuller, M.S., BCBA is a board-certified behavior analyst and doctoral student working in the area of research, ABA fieldwork supervision, and consulting with individuals on creating more meaningful lifestyles by incorporating mindfulness into their everyday lives. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida in 2013. In 2017, Jessica earned a Master’s in Science degree and graduated with distinction from Capella University. Shortly after, she received her board certification. 

She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where her research focuses on intercontinental remote training and mindfulness practices within a behavior analytic scope. Jessica’s goal is to translate a lot the mindfulness research in ways that can be applied to everyday life situations with a range of behaviors such as learning to cultivate a mindfulness practice for yourself, raising kids to be mindful, learning to savor the little things in life, and honing your creative self through mindful practice. Jessica has a passion for teaching and disseminating the various ways ABA can be used across disciplines and environments. She is an independent fieldwork supervisor and mentor. She does private consultations, parent and staff training both in-person in Tampa, FL., and the Dominican Republic and via telehealth.