About

Nathan H. Azrin was a highly influential and prolific psychologist, researcher, and professor, widely regarded as a founding figure in behavior modification and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He was a pioneer who not only conducted groundbreaking lab research but also translated those findings into practical, effective treatments for a wide range of human behaviors and challenges.

Career and Contributions

Azrin’s career spanned nearly six decades and was marked by a unique ability to bridge the gap between theoretical science and real-world application. He was mentored by the legendary B.F. Skinner at Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Psychology in 1955.

His most notable contributions include:

Token Economies: A revolutionary system developed with his colleague, Ted Ayllon, that uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors in clinical and educational settings.
Habit Reversal Training: A widely used method to treat nervous habits, tics, and other repetitive behaviors by teaching a person to perform a competing response.
Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA): An evidence-based therapy for treating substance abuse that helps individuals find alternative, rewarding activities to replace drug or alcohol use. It serves as the foundation for the CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) model.
“Toilet Training in Less Than a Day”: Based on his research with Richard Foxx, this book popularized his rapid training method and has sold millions of copies worldwide, making his work accessible to the public.

Azrin’s work extended beyond these specific methodologies, and he was instrumental in developing new procedures for treating self-injury, stuttering, eating disorders, and even marital problems. He was also a prolific leader in the field, serving as president of numerous professional organizations, including the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Early Life and Education

Born on November 26, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, Azrin grew up helping his parents run their local grocery store. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston University before completing his doctorate under B.F. Skinner. His career included postdoctoral work with the Institute of Living and the U.S. Army Ordinance before he became a professor at Southern Illinois University and research director at Anna State Hospital from 1958 to 1980. He then joined Nova Southeastern University, where he served as a professor until his retirement in 2010. Azrin passed away on March 29, 2013, at the age of 82.