Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI) is based on the work of which psychologist?

Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI) is grounded in the principles established by O. Ivar Lovaas, a prominent psychologist in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Lovaas's work specifically focused on developing intervention programs for children with autism, demonstrating how structured behavioral techniques could significantly improve developmental and learning outcomes in this population.

Lovaas implemented a comprehensive approach that emphasized intensive one-on-one therapy, utilizing behavioral strategies to teach complex skills. His early research laid the foundation for EIBI, showing that early and intensive intervention could lead to substantial gains in communication, social skills, and adaptive behavior in children with autism. This body of work has profoundly impacted both clinical practice and educational approaches for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The work of other psychologists, such as Skinner, who developed the principles of operant conditioning, or Pavlov, known for his classical conditioning experiments, while foundational to behavior analysis, does not specifically address the intensive intervention strategies applied in EIBI. Bandura's social learning theory focuses on observational learning and would not pertain directly to the practices of EIBI. Therefore, Lovaas’s contributions are fundamentally linked to the development of EIBI, making him the correct choice in this context.