About Dr. Nathan Azrin
Dr. Nathan H. Azrin was a renowned behavioral modification researcher, psychologist, and university professor. He was affiliated with Southern Illinois University, where he taught, and served as the research director of Anna State Hospital from 1958 to 1980. In 1980, he joined Nova Southeastern University as a professor and attained emeritus status in 2010. Azrin was a pioneering figure in the field, credited with developing several influential research methodologies, including Token Economics, the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) that underpins the CRAFT model, Family Behavior Therapy, and habit reversal training. His contributions were widely recognized, with fellow psychologist Brian Iwata noting, “Few people have made research contributions equaling Nate’s in either basic or applied behavior analysis, and none have matched his contributions to both endeavors.”
Nathan Azrin was born on November 26, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Harold and Esther Azrin. His parents ran a small local grocery store, where Nathan and his siblings helped out. He earned his BA from Boston University in 1951 and his MA in 1952. In 1955, he completed his PhD in Psychology under the guidance of BF Skinner at Harvard University.
After completing his PhD, Azrin pursued two postdoctoral positions as a research psychologist. He first worked at the Institute of Living with Karl H. Pribram, and then with the US Army Ordinance, focusing on human factors in fatigue. He later became a professor at Southern Illinois University and served as research director in the Illinois Department of Mental Health. From 1958 to 1980, he held the position of research director at Anna State Hospital. In 1976–1977, he took a sabbatical as a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Palo Alto, California. From 1980 to 2010, he worked at Nova Southeastern University, initially as Clinical Director from 1981 to 1986, and then as a professor.
He was granted emeritus professor status in 2010. Azrin co-founded and served as president of the Midwestern Association for Behavior Analysis. He also served as president of the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Additionally, he held past presidencies in the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis. Azrin is recognized as one of the founders of the behavior modification school of thought and Applied Behavior Analysis.
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