Technological talk in the field of applied behavior analysis creates distance between researchers and behavior analysis consumers. The field should focus on properly analyzing the needs of potential consumers, adapting technology to serve those needs, and packaging and marketing products in such a way that they are readily accepted and easily…

Places behavioral field systems analysis (FSA) into perspective historically and in terms of its relationship to behavioral science as a whole, focusing on (1) J.R. Kantor and interbehaviorism, (2) the change from linear mechanics to fields/systems, and (3) contemporary scientific relatives of FSA. (SM)

A review of 158 applied behavior analysis studies with children as subjects, published in the "Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis" between 1980 and 1990, found that (1) 16% measured the accuracy of independent variable implementation, and (2) two-thirds did not operationally define components of the independent variable. Specific recommendations…

This essay examines the late B. F. Skinner's work as a scientist, psychologist, polemicist, and poet. The human psyche is seen to be a confederation of various aspects (e.g., cognition, affection, conation). Skinner's scientific exclusion of inner-life phenomena from his behavioral science is seen as paradoxical. Implications for educational…

Proposes a two-system framework for understanding the processes that enable self-control as exemplified in the delay of gratification paradigm. A cool, cognitive "know" system and a hot, emotional "go" system are postulated. The interactions between these two systems allow explanation of findings on willpower from three decades…

Examines the uses of observations generated during testing through (a) qualitative synthesis of available research literature, (b) a study of a national sample of children, and (c) a study of children referred for psychoeducational evaluations. Results demonstrate that behavioral and temperament qualities evaluated by test observations are related…

Presents methodologies for diagnostic problem solving, including clinical diagnosis using the DSM-IV, multiaxial empirically based assessment, and behavioral assessment. Reviews these approaches within the context of methodological and conceptual issues pertaining to the construct of treatment utility. Argues that clinical diagnosis and…

A case study is used to argue that the function of the aggressive behavior of a young woman with severe mental retardation was to avoid or escape the termination of a chain of complex stereotyped ritual behaviors. This is an example of complex interaction between two behaviors and illustrates the need for very careful analysis of the functions of…

Study used a method different from that of past studies to reexamine first-date scripts of heterosexual college students. As expected, the findings did not change. Despite egalitarian claims, initial dating practices consistently appear to be primarily traditional. Article concludes that semi-egalitarian, semi-traditional perspectives of students…

This article discusses issues related to the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) with students who have autism-related disabilities. These include: implementation forms, outcome expectations, exclusive versus selective use of ABA, time-related considerations, and personnel requirements for effective ABA implementation, evaluation, and…

Recent experiments are reviewed in three areas of research concerning reinforcement schedules: (1) behavioral history effects on schedule performance; (2) the role of instructions in schedule performance of humans; and (3) dynamic schedules of reinforcement. The paper concludes by identifying some general issues concerning reinforcement schedules…

Resistance to change is often studied by measuring response rate in various components of a multiple schedule. Response rate in each component is normalized (that is, divided by its baseline level) and then log-transformed. Differential resistance to change is demonstrated if the normalized, log-transformed response rate in one component decreases…

Choice between sucrose and wheel-running reinforcement was assessed in two experiments. In the first experiment, ten male Wistar rats were exposed to concurrent VI 30 s VI 30 s schedules of wheel-running and sucrose reinforcement. Sucrose concentration varied across concentrations of 2.5, 7.5, and 12.5%. As concentration increased, more behavior…

Four experiments examined the effects of delays to reinforcement on key peck sequences of pigeons maintained under multiple schedules of contingencies that produced variable or repetitive behavior. In Experiments 1, 2, and 4, in the repeat component only the sequence right-right-left-left earned food, and in the vary component four-response…

Given a commodity available at different prices, a unit-price account of choice predicts preference for the cheaper alternative. This experiment determined if rhesus monkeys preferred remifentanil (an ultra-short-acting [mu]-opioid agonist) delivered at a lower unit price over a higher-priced remifentanil alternative (Phases 1 and 3). Choice…