Current use and development of FOSS in Behavior Analysis: Modern Behavioral Engineering
Gilroy, Shawn P., Kaplan, Brent A., Bullock, Christopher E., and Waits, Jodie A. (2020)
Abstract:
Technological development and engineering skills have long held a place in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. In years prior to Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990) and his seminal works, behavioral psychologists regularly crafted the tools and technology necessary to perform controlled experiments. For example, scientists such as John Broadus Watson (1878-1958) frequently highlighted the measurement apparatuses (predominantly used with nonhuman animals at the time) used to investigate behavioral phenomena (Watson, 1916). Even 100 years ago, developing highly-specialized apparatuses was necessary when responses were difficult to perceive (e.g., by visual inspection), hard to measure reliably (e.g., due to the high rate of occurrence), or spanned great lengths of time (i.e., whole days, weeks). Skinner (1956) provides a thoughtful summary of the many tools created to support his early operant experiments.
Technological development and engineering skills have long held a place in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. In years prior to Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990) and his seminal works, behavioral psychologists regularly crafted the tools and technology necessary to perform controlled experiments. For example, scientists such as John Broadus Watson (1878-1958) frequently highlighted the measurement apparatuses (predominantly used with nonhuman animals at the time) used to investigate behavioral phenomena (Watson, 1916). Even 100 years ago, developing highly-specialized apparatuses was necessary when responses were difficult to perceive (e.g., by visual inspection), hard to measure reliably (e.g., due to the high rate of occurrence), or spanned great lengths of time (i.e., whole days, weeks). Skinner (1956) provides a thoughtful summary of the many tools created to support his early operant experiments.
Citation:
Gilroy, Shawn P., Kaplan, Brent A., Bullock, Christopher E., and Waits, Jodie A. (2020). Current use and development of FOSS in Behavior Analysis: Modern Behavioral Engineering. Introduction to software development for behavior analysts, 2. 1–20
Gilroy, Shawn P., Kaplan, Brent A., Bullock, Christopher E., and Waits, Jodie A. (2020). Current use and development of FOSS in Behavior Analysis: Modern Behavioral Engineering. Introduction to software development for behavior analysts, 2. 1–20