Association for Behavior Analysis International

The Association for Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) is a nonprofit membership organization with the mission to contribute to the well-being of society by developing, enhancing, and supporting the growth and vitality of the science of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.

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37th Annual Convention; Denver, CO; 2011

Program by Special Events: Sunday, May 29, 2011


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Special Event #147
ABAI Program Committee Meeting
Sunday, May 29, 2011
8:00 AM–8:50 AM
303 (Convention Center)
Domain: Experimental Analysis
Chair: Ramona Houmanfar (University of Nevada, Reno)
Abstract:

#None#

 

Applied Animal Behavior (AAB)

JENNIFER L. SOBIE (University of Illinois), Kennon A. Lattal (West Virginia University)
Abstract:

#NONE#

 
Autism (AUT)
JEFFREY H. TIGER (Louisiana State University), Dorothea C. Lerman (University of Houston - Clear Lake)
 
Behavioral Pharmacology (BPH)
KAREN G. ANDERSON (West Virginia University), Jonathan W. Pinkston (University of North Texas)
 
Clinical; Family; Behavioral Medicine (CBM)
JONATHAN W. KANTER (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee), Thomas J. Waltz (University of Nevada, Reno)
 
Community Interventions; Social and Ethical Issues (CSE)
MICHAEL WEINBERG (Orlando Behavior Health Services, LLC), Patricia Bach (Illinois Institute of Technology)
 
Developmental Disabilities (DDA)
JOEL ERIC RINGDAHL (University of Iowa), Jennifer M. Asmus (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
 
Human Development (DEV)
GARY D. NOVAK (California State University, Stanislaus), Hayne W. Reese (West Virginia University)
 
Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB)
ROBERT W. ALLAN (Lafayette College), Matthew C. Bell (Santa Clara University)
 
Education (EDC)
CATHY L. WATKINS (California State University, Stanislaus), Jennifer L. Austin (University of Glamorgan)
 

Organizational Behavior Management (OBM)

HEATHER M. MCGEE (Western Michigan University), Lori H. Diener (Performance Blueprints, Inc.)
Abstract:

#NONE#

 

Other (OTH)

RAYMOND C. PITTS (University of North Carolina, Wilmington)
Abstract:

#NONE#

 

Practice (PRA)

JENNIFER R. ZARCONE (University of Rochester Medical Center), Ronnie Detrich (Wing Institute)
Abstract:

#NONE#

 
Science (SCI)
TIMOTHY D. HACKENBERG (Reed College)
 
Teaching Behavior Analysis (TBA)
JESSICA SINGER-DUDEK (Teachers College, Columbia University), Grant Gautreaux (Nicholls State University)
 
Theoretical, Philosophical, and Conceptual Issues (TPC)
TED SCHONEBERGER (Kohala Educational Services), Per Holth (Akershus University College)
 
Verbal Behavior (VRB)
CAIO F. MIGUEL (California State University, Sacramento), Anna I. Petursdottir (Texas Christian University)
 
Continuing Education (CE)
RICHARD W. MALOTT (Western Michigan University), Maria E. Malott (ABAI)
 
 
Special Event #267
Symposium in Honor of Jim Dougan: Reward Sensitivity and Choice Behavior in Hamsters and Rats
Sunday, May 29, 2011
3:00 PM–4:20 PM
404 (Convention Center)
Area: EAB/BPH; Domain: Experimental Analysis
Chair: Gwen Lupfer-Johnson (University of Alaska Anchorage)
Discussant: Frances K. McSweeney (Washington State University)
Abstract:

James D. Dougan died on October 10, 2010 of a massive heart attack at age 52. Jim was a long-time loyal member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). He had attended every yearly ABAI conference since he entered the discipline with, ironically, the exception of only last year. Jim contributed extensively to the field of behavior analysis through journal articles, conference presentations and his teaching at Illinois Wesleyan University. Several elements characterized his work. First, it was eclectic. He published on topics ranging from behavioral contrast and the matching law to a behavioral analysis of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Second, his work almost always involved students. From his first days in graduate school, Jim was a popular teacher. Several of his talents contributed to this popularity. For example, he was articulate, humorous, creative, passionate, generous with his time and energy, and kind. This symposium is given in loving memory of Jim and shares his characteristics of being eclectic and student-centered.

 

Differences in Reward Sensitivity in Sprague Dawley Rats and Syrian Hamsters: Changes During Competitive and Solitary Responding

LESLIE M. WISE (Illinois State University), Valeri Farmer-Dougan (Illinois State University)
Abstract:

Syrian hamsters provide a unique animal model of operant conditioning compared to the traditional rat or pigeon model. Syrian hamsters are relatively solitary animals, they pouch food rather than consume it as they earn it, and have very low rates of operant responding compared to rats. Indeed, there is currently only one published study using operant lever pressing in hamsters. Several investigators have suggested that their dopaminergic system may be qualitatively different from that of rats, suggesting underlying differences in their reward system. In addition, their solitary nature suggests significant differences in social behavior compared to rats. The question then becomes whether these animals show qualitative differences in operant behavior, as well. The present investigation used a novel open field social foraging task to investigate reward sensitivity in the Syrian Hamster and the Sprague Dawley rat. Once baseline rates of reward sensitivity were obtained using the generalized matching law, the hamsters and rats were exposed to a behavioral contrast condition, again conducted in a social open field setting. Results showed clear differences between hamsters and rats. The data, and theoretical implications for species differences, are then discussed.

 

Changes in Locomotor Behavior and Reward Sensitivity During Amphetamine Exposure: Differences in Rat Versus Syrian Hamster Models

VALERI FARMER-DOUGAN (Illinois State University), Leslie M. Wise (Illinois State University)
Abstract:

Syrian hamsters provide a unique animal model of operant conditioning compared to the traditional rat or pigeon model. Syrian hamsters are relatively solitary animals, they pouch food rather than consume it as they earn it, and have very low rates of operant responding compared to rats. Several investigators have suggested that their dopaminergic system may be qualitatively different from that of rats, suggesting underlying differences in their reward system. Syrian hamsters and Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a series of doses of amphetamine (AMPH), a dopaminergic agonist under two conditions. First, both species were placed in an open field setting and topographical changes were compared during NaCl and AMPH exposure. Second, rats and hamsters were exposed to an operant lever pressing task using concurrent VI VI schedules. Estimates of reward sensitivity were obtained using the generalized matching law, first under baseline and then during NaCl and AMPH drug conditions. Results showed clear differences between hamsters and rats. The data, and theoretical implications for species differences, are then discussed.

 

Suppression of Ethanol Consumption by High Fat Diets and Palatable Alternative Beverages in Dwarf Hamsters

GWEN LUPFER-JOHNSON (University of Alaska Anchorage), Kori Radcliffe (University of Alaska Anchorage), Chuck Crew (University of Alaska Anchorage), Alyssa Hoskie (University of Alaska Anchorage), Zoe Merculieff (Mount Edgecumbe High School), Eric S. Murphy (University of Alaska Anchorage)
Abstract:

Syrian hamsters have long been known as avid consumers of ethanol solutions. However, several factors affecting their consumption reduce their usefulness as an animal model of human alcoholism. Unlike human alcoholics and selectively-bred rat strains, Syrian hamsters reduce their intake of ethanol solutions when presented with alternative solutions such as tomato juice (Piercy & Myers, 1995) or a palatable high-fat diet (Dibattista & Joachim, 1999). Dwarf hamsters also readily consume ethanol solutions, and have self-administered up to 13g/kg per day in our laboratory. In order to examine whether dwarf hamsters' ethanol intake is affected by the presence of other substances, 10 dwarf hamster subjects were fed either a high fat or a high carbohydrate diet according to a reversal design while ethanol consumption was recorded. An additional eight subjects were provided with ethanol solutions for 30 minutes per day presented alongside water, chocolate drink (Slimfast), tomato juice, or sweetened Kool-aid. Both the high fat diet and the palatable alternative beverages significantly suppressed ethanol consumption. Evolutionary and functional explanations for the similar ethanol consumption patterns of Syrian and dwarf hamsters are discussed.

 
 
Special Event #285
Presidential Scholar's Address:
Sunday, May 29, 2011
5:00 PM–5:50 PM
Four Seasons 1-3 (Convention Center)
 

Applied Behavior Analysis Outside of the Research Setting

Abstract:

The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has served both our area and the greater scientific community very well. In the early days, pioneers like Mont Wolf, Todd Risley, and Don Baer from the Department of Human Development and Family Life at the University of Kansas addressed issues across a broad range of topics such as: (a) treatment of juvenile delinquents; (b) teaching language skills to inner city children; (c) increasing learning in the school setting; and (d) establishing a wide variety of functional skills of persons with intellectual disabilities. As important as the impact and acceptance of ABA has been in the field of psychology is the application and adoption of its principles by other major professional groups. Closely related to my work has been the application of ABA to problems in pediatric practice, including the treatment of common presenting problems such as disruptive behavior and elimination disorders, as well as for more complex problems with serious medical sequela such as adherence to complicated treatment regimens for diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and childhood cancer.

ABA has accomplished much by doing a few basic things very well: defining the functional variables for a population, gathering as much data as practical, and using that data to direct the application of ABA to new and unique settings, problems, and challenges. The same basic methodological approaches used to solve important social problems were used to gain acceptance into new areas of investigation and to new professional areas, in my case, in pediatric medicine. Getting ABA accepted into mainstream pediatrics was facilitated by publishing research of direct interest to pediatricians in their journals (e.g., pediatrics), as well as presentations at literally dozens of meetings of the American Academy of Pediatrics and being seated on grant study sections with pediatricians. The publication of such investigations in journals traditionally thought to be outside of the domain of ABA was key in advancing the science of psychology and medicine outside of the research setting. Acceptance of ABA into mainstream medicine will be reviewed as well as new areas where ABA is making contributions.

 
EDWARD CHRISTOPHERSEN (The Children's Mercy Hospital)
 
Edward R. Christophersen, Ph.D., is a board-certified clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine and the University of Kansas Medical Center. He has written and co-written several books on parenting, including Parenting That Works: Building Skills That Last a Lifetime and Treatments That Work With Children: Empirically Supported Strategies for Managing Childhood Problems. A fellow in clinical psychology in the American Psychological Association, he was elected an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics because of his unique and substantial contributions in the area of child health.
 
 
 
Special Event #307a
Honoring the Life of Stephen C. Luce - (1950-2010)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
7:30 PM–9:00 PM
Granite BC (Hyatt Regency)
Domain: Experimental Analysis
Chair: Peter Troy (Melmark New England)
Panelists: STEPHEN R. ANDERSON (Summit Educational Resources), ARTHUR RICHARD CAMPBELL (Melmark New England), KATHLEEN DYER (River Street Autism Program), JUDITH E. FAVELL (AdvoServ), GINA GREEN (San Diego State University), R. VANCE HALL (University of Kansas - Retired), ERIC V. LARSSON (Lovaas Institute Midwest), JILL E. MCGRALE MAHER (Crossroads School), LINDA S. MEYER (Autism New Jersey), TERRY J. PAGE (AdvoServ), MARY JANE WEISS (Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University)
Abstract: Additional Panelists: TERRY J. PAGE (AdvoServe); MARY JANE WEISS (Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University) Please join us for a celebration and remembrance of the life of Dr. Stephen C. Luce (1950 - 2010) whose long and courageous battle with cancer took his life this past November. He was the loving husband of Claire and proud father of Megan, Kristen, and Emily. Dr. Luce earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Marietta College (Ohio), where he also was awarded its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2007. He earned his Master's degree in Education from the University of Georgia. At the University of Kansas, Steve studied with R. Vance Hall and earned his Doctorate in developmental and child psychology. He dedicated his life's work to children and adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. He was especially well known within the Autism community and authored several books and publications in this area. Steve held numerous faculty and clinical consultation appointments at universities and clinics around the world. He served as a case evaluator for the U.S. Department of Justice and was often called upon to provide testimony on behalf of children with autism. Dr. Luce was the Clinical Director for the May Institute in Chatham, MA for 12 years where he acquired an international reputation for the development and dissemination of cutting edge behavioral programming and residential treatment for individuals with autism. In the early 90's he was the Executive Vice President and Clinical Director of Programming for Bancroft, in Haddonfield, NJ. There amongst his many responsibilities in serving over 500 persons with developmental disabilities, autism, and head trauma, he initiated one of the first systematic replications of the Lovaas Young Autism Project. This work spun off into one of the main branches of the Lovaas Institute, and is still sustained to this day by Scott Wright and other staff who Steve mentored. One of Steve's most popular books came out of that effort (Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism, edited with Drs. Catherine Maurice and Gina Green). In the later 90's Dr. Luce became the Executive Director of the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School affiliated with the University of Chicago. While in Chicago, Dr. Luce also served as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago. Following his time in Chicago, Dr. Luce went on to Melmark in Pennsylvania where he was the Vice President for Clinical Programs, Training and Research. While at Melmark, Steve served as Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Luce ended his career as the Co-Director of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies in Beverly, MA. In each position Dr. Luce mentored many, many young professionals in their graduate studies and fostered their professional development in the fields of psychology and special education. These individuals are now running programs or are professors themselves mentoring the next generations of human service providers. In his personal life he was an accomplished rower who competed both nationally and internationally and was a proud member of the Fairmount Rowing Association located on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Known to his friends as Steve, he was a great leader, mentor, and friend whom we will greatly miss. So please come and share your memories and honor a great colleague and friend, Steve Luce.
STEPHEN R. ANDERSON (Summit Educational Resources)
ARTHUR RICHARD CAMPBELL (Melmark New England)
KATHLEEN DYER (River Street Autism Program)
JUDITH E. FAVELL (AdvoServ)
GINA GREEN (San Diego State University)
R. VANCE HALL (University of Kansas - Retired)
ERIC V. LARSSON (Lovaas Institute Midwest)
JILL E. MCGRALE MAHER (Crossroads School)
LINDA S. MEYER (Autism New Jersey)
TERRY J. PAGE (AdvoServ)
MARY JANE WEISS (Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University)
 

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