Using Behavior Analysis to Analyze Behavior, Part I. Presented by Dr. Eduardo Fernandez

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CEU's: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1, IAABC 1, KPA 1

A Data-Taking Perspective

The use of Behavior Analysis within the animal training and welfare community has become commonplace. While the core principles of Behavior Analysis (i.e., a focus on reinforcement contingencies and functional understandings of behavior) are now frequently used for applied animal behavior purposes, the use of data to measure those applications remains virtually untapped. This creates a conundrum for hopeful Applied Animal Behavior Analysts: An increased demand for applying behavioral principles, but with limited opportunity to bring about their empirical, analytical counterparts.

This session focuses on bridging the gap between data and training by providing simple yet effective data-taking procedures for a variety of animal training and welfare needs.

Learning Objectives:

• the use of preference assessments to systematically identify potential reinforcers and enrichment objects/procedures.
• measurement systems for training projects that allow trainers to directly document their training/shaping progress.
• creating behavioral inventories (e.g., ethograms) that facilitate general welfare improvements. Particular attention will be placed on how anyone can collect data, scientist and trainer alike!

About The Presenter

Dr. Eduardo Fernandez

Dr. Eduardo J. Fernandez received his Ph.D. in psychology (minors in neuroscience and animal behavior) from Indiana University, where he worked with the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoo. He received his master’s in behavior analysis From the University of North Texas, where he founded and was president of the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals (ORCA). Most of his past and current work involves conducting research on the behavioral welfare of captive exotic animals found in zoos and aquariums. He has worked with close to 50 species of animals, with a focus on marine animals, carnivores, and primates. He is currently a visiting professor in the School of Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology. His past positions include an affiliate professorship in the Psychology Department at University of Washington (UW), research fellowship with Woodland Park Zoo, and National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship. While working with UW and Woodland Park Zoo, he started the Behavioral Enrichment Animal Research (BEAR) group, which conducted welfare research with the African and Asian elephants, hippos, Humboldt penguins, grizzly bears, sun bears, sloth bears, Sumatran tigers, jaguars, African wild dogs, meerkats, golden lion tamarins, and ostriches located at the zoo. He also runs the Animal Reinforcement Forum (ARF) which is dedicated to group discussions on animal training and behavior from a scientific perspective.