Association for Behavior Analysis International

Research has demonstrated how effective preference assessments can be when used for identifying reinforcers (Fisher et al., 1992; DeLeon & Iwata, 1994). Typically, this process is used for everyday items and activities (e.g., edibles, money, items in the environment); however, more recently, these methods have also been extended to evaluating potential sexual partners (Jarmolowicz et al., 2016). Additionally, there is preference-assessment research showing that conditioned reinforcers (e.g., leisure items) may be displaced by unconditioned reinforcers (e.g., edibles or drinks). The purpose of the current study was to extend the preference-displacement research to evaluate whether sex toys (e.g., conditioned reinforcer) would be displaced by a potential human sex partner (e.g., unconditioned reinforcer). Participants in this study completed three phases of an online preference assessment (i.e., potential sexual partners, sex toys, and a combination of partners and toys). The results include preference hierarchies across assessments and displacement evaluations for each type of stimulus (partner vs. toy) within the initial preference assessment and in the combined preference assessment. Patterns of displacement across participants will be discussed in addition to areas of future research.

Cultural issues such as climate change, deforestation, pollution, overpopulation, drug use, and violence are the result of human behavior over time. Nevertheless, humans also have the potential to mitigate these problems. Significant progress has been made in culturo-behavioral science; however, it has been less explored than other areas in behavior analysis. Some culturo-behavioral concepts, for example, have only recently been introduced. The cultural cusp may provide a better understanding of how behavior analysts might intervene on social issues. Glenn et al. (2016) defines the cultural cusp as, “the coalescence of unique and nonrecurring interlocking and/or individual behavioral contingencies that results in a product that leads to significant socio-cultural change” (p. 21). To gain a clearer understanding of the cultural cusp we conducted in depth-historical analyses of several phenomena thought to meet the critical features of the cultural cusp. The results of our analyses are presented in a discussion of 1) potential critical and variable attributes of the cultural cusp, 2) suggestions for possible laboratory research to identify basic processes in cultural cusp formation, and 3) potential strategies to capture the long-lasting change attributed to cultural cusps.

Reports indicate that one in three women and one in six men in the United States experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime (Smith et. al., 2017). Previous research has indicated that individuals involved in cases regarding claims of harassment (e.g. jurors, police officers) will be more likely to question the validity of a claim if characteristics of the claimant are different than expectations of the event (Schuller, McKimmie, Masser, & Klippenstine, 2010). Previous research regarding these characteristics has demonstrated several variables that may affect the believability of such claims (e.g. Schuller, McKimmie, Masser, & Klippenstine, 2010, McLean & Goodman-Delahunty, 2008). The purpose of the present study was to examine implicit biases of college participants using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) to evaluate differences in responding to images of females dressed in modest and revealing clothing as honest or dishonest in both private and public contexts. Mean scores for four trial types (Modest-Honest, Modest-Honest, Revealing-Honest, Modest-Dishonest, Revealing-Dishonest) and overall score in private and public contexts were examined; results suggested no significant difference between the public and private contexts, however a difference was found in responding among the various trial types, suggesting a significant bias toward modest clothing.

Rock climbing has become increasingly popular around the world. However, rock climbing related injuries are not uncommon for those participating in the sport. Causes of injuries are often attributed to common mistakes on the part of the rock climber such as failing to conduct a safety check of knots, clipping the rope into the wall incorrectly, or neglecting to communicate with their belayer. Although they are simple tasks, the rock climber may make these mistakes due to lack of attention or being distracted by their thoughts. Research suggests that components of Acceptance and Commit Therapy (ACT), such as present moment awareness, values clarification, and acceptance can improve athletic performance. Previous research has evaluated ACT’s effect on the performance of basketball players, powerlifters, swimmers, and golfers; however, no research has examined the impact of ACT with rock climbers. The current study examines the effects of ACT on the performance of three recreational rock climbers using a multiple baseline design. Participants received ACT lessons prior to climbing and were assessed on speed, mistakes made, and safety steps followed. Preliminary data suggest that ACT sessions delivered prior to climbing may reduce climb duration and mistakes made while climbing while also improving safety measures.