Introduction to the Science of Behavior (Part 3)

Hello, this is Sean and Maasa! We are excited to welcome you to our Introduction to the Science of Behavior (Part 3) group class! In this group class, we will talk about the theme of "motivation." The big questions are: How can we make behavior more likely to happen? How can we make a consequence more potent and effective?How can we make the occasion more salient? What kinds of procedures are there to potentiate occasion and behavior relations?

Deprivation and satiation are two procedures that are well described under "motivation." However, there are more procedures than these two procedures. The Blue Books by Dr. Israel Goldiamond and Donald Thompson refer to it as a potentiating variable. We will use Dr. Israel Goldiamond's book "Goldiamond's Functional Analysis of Behavior (also known as "The Blue Books)" to guide us through understanding potentiating variables. Potentiating variables are critical to understanding and analyzing behavior, and implementing various behavior change programs to achieve our training goals!

For those of you who took Introduction to the Science of Behavior (Part 1) and (Part 2), this is the next step! We will be building up to some complex topics during this class, so we encourage you to attend the Open House sessions and feel comfortable asking questions.

​

**Constructional Approach to Animal Welfare and Training is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All the profits from the group classes will fund the free programs that CAAWT offers for individuals and facilities that oversee the care of animals. For every third registration, CAAWT can provide one free spot for someone in need! 

■ Class Description

In this 4-week group class, we will explore various types and procedures of potentiating variables. Potentiating variables look at what we can do to make a stimulus function as an effective or potent reinforcer, what we can do to make the behavior more likely to happen under a specific occasion. Deprivation and satiation are just one type of potentiating variable. There are many different types of potentiating variables! We will explore the difference between drive theory, motivating operation, and potentiating variables, learn about different types of potentiating variables, and speculate on the effect of the organism on each type of potentiating variable (ethical problems, coercion, etc.). You will not only learn to analyze behavior through contingency (occasion, behavior, and consequence), but also through potentiating variables that influence the contingency.

*Introduction to the Science of Behavior (Part 1) and (Part 2) is prerequisites to take this class. This class accumulates knowledge from Part 1 and Part 2 group classes. If you want to join the Part 3 group class, please also register for the part 1 and part 2 group classes by visiting this page.

​

​

■ Main Textbook

Goldiamond, I., & Thompson, D. (2004). The blue books: Goldiamond & Thompson’s the functional analysis of behavior, P. T. Andronis (Ed.). Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. (Original work published in 1967)

You can purchase the book from here

​

​

■ Learning Objectives 

• Define potentiating variable 

• Describe the difference between motivating operation, drive theory, and potentiating variable

• Describe all the procedures of potentiation variable stated in the class​

• Speculate the effects of each procedure of potentiating variable on the organism including ethical problems

• Given various examples, identify the procedure used to potentiate occasion and behavior relation

• Given various scenarios, speculate on ways to potentiate occasion and behavior relation

• Given various scenarios, speculate on ways to de-potentiate occasion and behavior relation

• [Cumulative knowledge] Given various scenarios, speculate on ways to increase occasion and behavior relation through variables including potentiating variables, consequences, and schedules of reinforcement

​

​

■ Acknowledgement

The design of this group class was advised by Dr. T.V. Joe Layng. 

We thank Dr. Layng for his wonderful feedback all throughout the design of the class materials.

​

■ Instructors

Sean Will, MS

Maasa Nishimuta