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| Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior Special Interest Group Distinguished Contributions Award: Celebrating the Contributions of Dr. Deisy de Souza |
| Sunday, May 24, 2015 |
| 9:00 AM–9:50 AM |
| 007A (CC) |
| Area: EAB/VBC; Domain: Basic Research |
| Chair: J. Adam Bennett (Eastern University) |
| Discussant: Deisy das Graças De Souza (Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos) |
| Abstract: The Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior Special Interest Group invites you to formally recognize the contributions of Dr. Deisy de Souza. Dr. de Souza's interests have long focused on the investigation of acquisition of symbolic relations, the development of equivalence-based instruction to teach reading and writing skills, providing services to individuals who benefit little from traditional schooling (children with protracted histories of school failure, children with intellectual disabilities, illiterate adults, etc.), and investigating the acquisition of symbolic functions by auditory stimuli in individuals with cochlear implants. Drs. Todorov and Kledaras, longtime friends and colleagues of Dr. de Souza's will review and reflect upon Dr. de Souza's career and her many contributions toward advancing our understanding of complex human behavior. Subsequently, Dr. de Souza will deliver an address in which she will review the current state of her research program with an eye toward future directions. Please join us to appreciate and celebrate the contributions of Dr. Deisy de Souza. |
| Keyword(s): Equivalence-Based Instruction, Stimulus Equivalence, Verbal Behavior |
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| Dr. Deisy de Souza: Honoring a Lifetime of Achievement in Behavior Analysis |
| JOANNE KLEDARAS (Praxis, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Deisy de Souza is Professor Titular at the Psychology Department, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Brazil. She obtained her Ph.D. in experimental psychology at University of São Paulo (USP), under the direction of Carolina Bori, and held a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, under the supervision of Charlie Catania. She has conducted animal research on choice behavior and on avoidance of aversive events. Over the past 25 years Dr. de Souza has worked with a research team to investigate the acquisition of symbolic relations and develop equivalence-based instruction (EBI) to teach reading and writing skills. She was responsible for the implementation of centers of research and teaching for beginning readers, providing services for individuals that benefit little from regular schools (children with protracted histories of school failure, children with intellectual disabilities, illiterate adults, etc.), thus creating opportunities for testing experimental teaching programs, and for the investigation of processes involved in the acquisition of academic concepts and skills. She has also participated in pioneering studies applying the stimulus equivalence paradigm to investigate the acquisition of symbolic functions by auditory stimuli in previously deaf children who have benefited from the use of cochlear implants. |
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Deisy de Souza: Researcher and Teacher |
| JOAO CLAUDIO TODOROV (Universidade de Brasilia) |
| Abstract: Some persons are just irreplaceable. There is nobody such as Deisy de Souza in Brazilian behavior analysis. She excelled in research and teaching. She has also generously devoted a significant part of her time to strengthen academic departments, undergraduate and graduate programs, scientific societies, and professional journals. Behavior analysis in Brazil would be significantly poorer without Deisy's contribution. Along her career she created and led no less than two graduate programs, one undergraduate program, and an Institute for Science and Technology. And these are just a few of her contributions to the management of behavior analysis. Surprisingly, she also had time to conduct and publish wonderful research in several areas, with international significance in the field. Her many students are now spread through the whole country, prepared to continue Deisy's work and lead Brazilian Behavior Analysis. Nevertheless, Deisy will hopefully keep doing innovative research and teaching many more students for a long time. |
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