Behavior Analysis and Learning: Fifth Edition

by W. David Pierce, Carl D. Cheney

Behavior Analysis and Learning, Fifth Edition is an essential textbook covering the basic principles in the field of behavior analysis and learned behaviors, as pioneered by B. F. Skinner. The textbook provides an advanced introduction to operant conditioning from a very consistent Skinnerian perspective. It covers a range of principles from basic respondent and operant conditioning through applied behavior analysis into cultural design. Elaborating on Darwinian components and biological connections with behavior, the book treats the topic from a consistent worldview of selectionism. The functional relations between the organism and the environment are described, and their application in accounting for old behavior and generating new behavior is illustrated. Expanding on concepts of past editions, the fifth edition provides updated coverage of recent literature and the latest findings. There is increased inclusion of biological and neuroscience material, as well as more data correlating behavior with neurological and genetic factors. The chapter on verbal behavior is expanded to include new research on stimulus equivalence and naming; there is also a more detailed and updated analysis of learning by imitation and its possible links to mirror neurons. In the chapter on applied behavior analysis (ABA), new emphasis is given to contingency management of addiction, applications to education, ABA and autism, and prevention and treatment of health-related problems. The material presented in this book provides the reader with the best available foundation in behavior science and is a valuable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology or other behavior-based disciplines. In addition, a website of supplemental resources for instructors and students makes this new edition even more accessible and student-friendly (www.psypress.com/u/pierce).

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

608 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really well done text book. It's a clear and precise presentation of a fascinating subject. LOVING IT! Inching my way through the chapters, getting one thing solid before tackling the next. It's like a juicy as hell puzzle game that you just can't leave alone. In fact, I'm finding myself fantasizing about spending more time tinkering and working through this dense and oddly satisfying read.

One of the real strengths of this text is that it integrates the evolutionary and neuroscience perspective into traditional behaviorist constructs. BONER RIGHT? Behaviorism and evolutionary psych are like Mack and Cheese. So complimentary and slamin good together that you wonder why these subjects aren't served together all the time. Then you add the neuroscience perspective into the mix and it's like this EXTREMELY POWERFUL FUCKIN JAPANESE ROBOT that can explode the fucking living shit out of the problem of human behavior. Thrilling stuff.

If you're bothering to read this than I will go ahead and presume that you give a fuck about psychology, behavior modification, behavioral analysis, etc. And if you made it this far I'm going to assume you are at least tolerant of my enthusiasm. Disclosure: I'm pretty new to to behavioral analysis (I learned about behaviorism in therapy school, but that shit is ubiquitously misunderstood and pretty much butchered by about every one I've ever seen try to teach it. Skinner gets all but dismissed as a crackpot and behaviorism gets rendered as a historical foot note.

All I have to say is, this is a powerful methodology. I'm all in. And this is a tremendously clarifying mid level text. GET IT!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book as the textbook for my Experimental Analysis of Behavior courses. Frankly, I love it.

The book uses a plethora of examples from current and seminal research. It has frequent illustration and thorough description. The language is at a technical level throughout, but its a level accessible to graduate students in behavior analysis. (That being said, its not an easy breezy text, either.) What's refreshing is the sheer breadth of the studies discussed. It isn't solely about rats and pigeons, nor is it solely about autism.

My only hesitation is that the text has a heavy emphasis on neurology. I don't think it should be removed - Skinner himself even said that integration and collaboration with biology was essential - but I think it ultimately goes too deep into the neuro side given the typical audience. Most behavior analysis students won't come in with a complex and fluent understanding of neuro mechanisms, so a good amount of time has to be spent on supplemental refreshers.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great educational text

[Robert Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This important text is a must read, study, and reference for all who are or claim to be behavioral scientists. It is a well written; well researched; and amazingly comprehensive text. An important foundational text for any behavioral library.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but wish it had more info on Applied Behavior Analysis