Wellbeing in Organized Groups: From Rule Governance to Value Based Governance with Ramona A. Houmanfar

Abstract: Wellbeing in organizations can be discussed in terms of the level of aversive stimulation in one’s environment, individuals’ level of choice, access to positive reinforcement, and the degree to which one operates in the context of positive reinforcement contingencies for others. In many ways, leaders’ design and implementation of prosocial contingencies can bear positive or negative influences on the wellbeing of the organized groups members plus their environment (including consumers). This presentation will provide an overview of ways behavior science can contribute to the design of healthy environments that promote well-being of organized group members and consumers. Moreover, an overview of values-based governance, as a means of developing and maintaining healthy, and adaptive practices in organized groups will be provided. Learning objectives: 1- The audience will list behaviors and associated outcomes that align with a behavior scientific discussion of wellbeing; 2- The audience will discuss the behavior scientific account of implicit bias as related to emerging socio-cultural issues; and 3- The audience will be able to describe the foundation (concepts and principles) underlying value-based governance in organized groups.

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About the Speaker: Ramona Houmanfar is Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Behavior Analysis Program at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). She currently serves as the trustee of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, Chair of the Organizational Behavior Management Section of Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, editorial board members of the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and Behavior & Social Issues, and Coordinator of the Publication Board at the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Ramona has served as the editor of Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, senior co-chair of the ABAI convention, Director of the Organizational Behavior Management Network and President of the Nevada Association for Behavior Analysis, and Co-Coordinator of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board at ABAI. Ramona’s expertise in behavioral systems analysis, cultural behavior analysis, and verbal behavior have also guided her research associated with implicit bias, cooperation, and value based governance. She has published over 80 peer reviewed publications, and three co-edited books titled “Organizational Change” (Context Press), "Understanding Complexity in Organizations", and “Leadership & Cultural Change (Taylor & Francis Group). Some recent accomplishments include being awarded ABAI Fellow designation, and publication of a co-edited book titled “Applied Behavior Science in Organization” (Taylor & Francis Group) sponsored by ABAI.