Brian Iwata

Brian A. Iwata is an American psychologist and professor known for his research in applied behavior analysis, particularly the assessment and treatment of self-injurious and other severe problem behavior. He developed the functional analysis methodology, a systematic procedure for identifying the environmental variables that maintain problem behavior, first published in a landmark 1982 study later reprinted as a classic in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Iwata's work at the University of Florida established functional analysis as a standard clinical and research tool used by behavior analysts and special educators worldwide to design individualized, function-based interventions for students and clients with developmental disabilities.