•  41
    Meanings of “function” in neuroscience, cognition, and behaviour analysis
    Behavioral and Brain Sciences 23 (4): 546-547. 2000.
    Different sciences approach the brain-behaviour system at various levels, but often apparently share terminology. “Function” is used both ontogenetically and phylogenetically. Within the ontogeny it has various meanings; the one adopted by Arbib et al. is that of mainstream cognitive psychology. This usage is relatively imprecise, and the psychologists who are sceptical about the ability of cognitive psychology to predict behavioural outcomes may have the same reservations about Arbib et al.'s c…Read more
  •  31
    Selection in operant learning may fit a general model
    Behavioral and Brain Sciences 24 (3): 542-543. 2001.
    The generic account of selection proposed by Hull et al. readily fits operant learning where, by comparison with natural selection, the process is well understood but little is known about the mechanism. Objections within psychology, that operant learning ignores internal processes, fail to recognise the general significance of behaviour-environment interactions. Variation within operant response classes requires further investigation.
  •  22
    Selection and “freedom” in biology and psychology
    Behavioral and Brain Sciences 22 (5): 897-897. 1999.
    Rose provides a coherent account of how a number of simplifying assumptions apparently come together to support neurogenetic determinism, or “ultra-Darwinism.” This view, he demonstrates, is deeply flawed. He proposes instead that we must take account of the interaction of processes that determine our developmental trajectory at every stage. Unfortunately, he associates this defensible position with the claim that this gives freedom of action to humans. The implications of this for the interpret…Read more
  •  16
    Does conditioned suppression measure the resistance to change of operant behaviour?
    Behavioral and Brain Sciences 23 (1): 103-104. 2000.
    Although conditioned suppression has face validity as a technique for assessing resistance to change of operant behaviour, it is not discussed by Nevin & Grace. However, application of their approach to the results of a conditioned suppression study that varied food deprivation and reinforcement magnitude produces paradoxical results
  •  14
    Effects of signaled free reinforcement on concurrent performances
    with J. R. Millenson
    Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society 1 (2): 97-100. 1973.
  •  13
    Ullin Place's contributions to the literature of behaviour analysis and behaviourism span the period from 1954 to 1999. In appreciation of his scholarship and breadth of vision, this paper reviews an early widely-cited contribution ("Is consciousness a brain process?" British Journal of Psychology, 1956, pp. 47-53) and a late one which should become widely cited ("Rescuing the science of human behavior from the ashes of socialism," Psychological Record, 1997, pp. 649-659). It is noted that the s…Read more
  •  13
    Behavior Analysis: Foundations and Applications to Psychology
    with Mark F. O'Reilly
    Psychology Press. 1999.
    This psychology textbook offers a comprehensive examination of the basic principles of behavior analysis and their application to issues of social significance. Behavioral scientists are interested in elucidating the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of human and non-human animals. Behavior Analysis is designed to meet the needs of senior undergraduate courses and postgraduate training in behavior analysis and its applications. The eleven comprehensive chapters: ·consider how funda…Read more