Association for Behavior Analysis International

Delay discounting refers to a preference for smaller, sooner over larger, delayed outcome. Domain effects refer to a tendency for some outcomes to be more strongly discounted than others. We will review research that reports domain effects across a variety of special populations, but focus on an outcome that is one of the most steeply discounted food. Our laboratory, which examines delay discounting with obese rats and humans has uncovered a consistent pattern of domain-specific discounting effects with food as the outcome. In other words, the largest differences in obese and healthy-weight subjects tend to be with food or food-related outcomes. This domain-specific finding also has been shown in response to the treatment of mindful eating. Implications for using multiple relevant outcomes in discounting studies will be discussed. This presentation will also serve as an introduction to a panel discussion on the application of behavioral economics to obesity.

Certified behavior analysts, licensed psychologists, graduate students.

Behavioral economic demand analyses quantify the degree to which organisms defend consumption of reinforcers. Emanating from the experimental analysis of behavior, demand analyses have rendered an abundance of success in modeling consumption and choice in highly controlled nonhuman studies. Translational applications in the 1980s demonstrated the potentiality of demand analyses in understanding substance use in human subject. Accordingly, contemporary research in addiction sciences has seen a marked proliferation in applying demand analyses in both translational and clinical settings. This SQAB Tutorial highlights translations of findings from basic studies on reinforcer demand to various issues of societal important. The presentation begins with a primer on demand assessment and analysis. Discussion of demand metrics with immediate translation to applied behavior analysis is provided. Particular examples from behavioral health domains are provided in the areas of alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, and indoor tanning demand. The presentation concludes with a discussion of other areas of translation in mainstream applied behavior analysis, such as validating preference assessments, determining token delivery and exchange schedules, and classroom based reinforcement contingencies for work completion.

Certified behavior analysts, psychologists, graduate students.

The recurrence of previously eliminated operant behavior (i.e., relapse) represents a challenge to the long-term success of a wide variety of behavioral interventions. This tutorial will provide a review of common relapse phenomena (e.g., reinstatement, renewal, resurgence) using examples from both basic research and applied settings. A major emphasis will be on providing user-friendly descriptions of existing theories of relapse, especially theories of resurgence. Theories discussed will be Behavioral Momentum Theory, Context Theory, and Choice Theory. The successes and failures of these theories will be addressed, as will areas in need of additional empirical and theoretical development. Finally, translational relevance will be discussed by considering how insights provided by the theories might be used to prevent or reduce relapse following common behavioral interventions (e.g., DRA). This presentation will also serve as an introduction to a panel discussion on the application of theories of relapse.

Certified behavior analysts, graduate students.

The science and practice of behavior analysis has much to offer educators. For example, behavior analytic interventions have been shown to be effective for increasing academic and pro-social skills and reducing problem behavior for students with and without disabilities. In spite of these successes however, educators are not beating down our proverbial door. Instead, behavior analysts often report the opposite: school doors seem shut and locked tight, there seems to be little or no interest on the part of educators in working with a behavior analyst. This presentation will address some of the challenges we face in working with schools and will describe a framework for developing and maintaining a positive and effective consulting relationship with educators.

Professionals who serve as consultants in schools or are interested in serving as school consultants.