The Science of Learning and Behavior

The Science of Learning and Behavior: Shaped by Experience is a basis for substantive learning in the science of behavior change, and the principles of learning and behavior applied to both animal and human behavior. It is often considered an error to generalize characteristics from people to animals, or vice versa, but one must grasp that the principles of learning are demonstrated to generalize from simpler organisms to the complexity of humans. The principles of learning and behavior can and have been applied to substance abuse, adult anxiety and depression, and anti-social behavior, amongst other problems of living. This is reflected in the chapters here, beginning by laying the foundation from a philosophical and scientific perspective and transitioning into the components of the 4-part contingency, with emphasis on the scientific foundation and conceptualized as the basic building blocks of behavior. The richness to expression of behavior through empirical research on processes such as partial reinforcement, simultaneously available contingencies, and complex stimulus control are discussed, before concluding with chapters that synthesize the principles to explain concepts typically encountered by undergraduate psychology or special education students (language, social behavior, cognition, and mental health).

Author Biography

Brady Phelps provided instruction in the study of Learning and Behavior to undergraduate students in psychology at South Dakota State University from 1992-2021, in face to face and in an online format. Since then, he has provided instruction to graduate students in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior at St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN and at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, both instances were online delivery. Phelps is also a Content Developer for the company known as Behavior Development Solutions; in this role, he has developed learning modules for the study of learning and behavior for graduate students and working professionals seeking professional certification and CEUs. He has published over 30 articles and chapters relevant to the subject matter of Learning and Behavior.

Shawn Charlton is a professor of psychology at the University of Central Arkansas. He earned his master’s degree and PhD at the University of California, San Diego in experimental psychology and his research focuses on the future of undergraduate psychology in the United States. This includes enhancing the undergraduate psychology curriculum so that it serves students going to graduate school and direct to the workforce; integrating technology – including AI – into the teaching of psychology; and creating flexible learning paths for non-traditional students.