Research Laboratory: Linda J. Parrott Hayes, Ph.D.

My scholarly interests and expertise pertain to the philosophy of behavior science and its implications for the interpretation of complex human behavior under real world circumstances. I prefer to work with students who share these interests and strive for excellence in this domain.

My laboratory's recent work has focused on issues of causality, inheritance, choice, remembering, dreaming, operant-respondent relations, theories of equivalence, operant subjectivity, self-control, audience control, rule governance, and cultural behavior (i.e. religious practices). All of our investigative work is conducted under computer control in the laboratory with normal adult subjects. Computer programming skills (e.g. Visual Basic, Lab-View) are essential for research productivity in the lab.

Pedagogical Objectives

My primary pedagogical objective is to prepare students for successful academic careers in graduate degree granting institutions. More than expertise in theory and philosophy is needed for entry into the academy at this level, and even more than this is needed for retention. Entry is largely a matter of scholarly productivity, as measured in numbers of publications in refereed or otherwise prestigious outlets. Added to this, in the current market, is sufficient diversity of interest and expertise to contribute to multiple training needs, particularly in the applied domain. Retention depends on continued productivity of this sort (especially as it demonstrates a coherent pattern), effectiveness in securing and administering grant and contract support for scholarly work and practice, excellence in teaching and mentoring, responsiveness to institutional service needs, leadership in the discipline, professionalism and collegiality.

Expectations of Students

Given the demands of an academic career, in addition to developing competence in behavior theory and philosophy, I expect my advisees to develop, pursue and disseminate a preferred line of research, gain experience in a marketable area of practice, apprentice with experienced administrators, model effective teaching and mentoring practices in their work with undergraduates, participate in program governance and professional service, and show respect and support for their colleagues.

Philosophy

Our lab operates on a philosophical foundation derived from J. R. Kantor's Interbehaviorism. Our philosophical work is focused on the logic of science and scientific system building, which pertains to the integration of scientific enterprises. My most recent work in this area is focused on matters of scientific validity and significance, the latter with regard to the interrelations of behavior science with the sciences of biology and anthropology. I'm also very interested in the concept of observation and the paradox of its foundational status in the science systems into evolutional character in the science of behavior

Theory

Our interpretive work is focused on complex human behaviors, particularly those in which substantial responding and stimulating are involved, including verbal behavior, remembering, and imagining. Most recently, I've been working on an interpretation of jealousy.

Human Research

Our human research usually has something to do with verbal behavior or substantial processes more generally; however, human research is the least thematic of any of our work. Students are encouraged to pursue their own interest in this context, and are expected to develop and execute a unique line of research by which they may be distinguished from their peers.

Animal Research

Our animal research facilities and interests grew out of my collaborations with faculty in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Biology & Immunology and most of our animal research has an interdisciplinary character. We work exclusively with mice. I exert more control over our animal than our human research program due to the resources needed to conduct animal research and maintain the lab. Still, experienced students are encouraged extend and expand upon the established lines of research in keeping with their own interests.

Direct Learning Opportunities: PSY 275 or PSY 375 credits

Students interested in gaining hands-on research experience in our lab are expected to make either a 2-semester or 1-year commitment. Additionally, students must be enrolled in 2 – 3 credits per semester for this opportunity.

Suggested prerequisite requirements: It is preferred that students complete at least one of the following courses with a grade of “B” or better (or be currently enrolled with an expected grade of “B” or better) to participate in a direct learning experience in Dr. Hayes’ lab:

PSY 205: ELEMENTARY ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSY 407 : APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
PSY 419: CONDITIONING AND LEARNING
PSY 472: EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSY 473 : RADICAL BEHAVIORISM

The research projects currently underway in Dr. Hayes’ lab are shown below. If you are interested in completing your Direct Learning requirements in the context of one of these research projects, please email the lab member responsible for the project directly. Thank you.

Lab Members

Genevieve DeBernardis, M.A.

Thesis title: Mind Reading: The Role of Quality and Duration of the Relationship in Predicting Novel Behavior of Another Person (Advisor: Linda, J. Parrott Hayes, Ph.D.)

Research interests: Prediction (e.g., mind-reading, perspective-taking); Fetal Associative Learning; Stimulus Equivalence; Interdisciplinary Research

Grants Awarded: 2009 Sidney W. and Janet R. Bijou Scholarship, Behavior Analysis Program, Dept of Psychology, UNR, NV

Current projects:

The Acquisition of Perspective-Taking in Children: (ongoing study) reviewing video footage, collecting and graphing data
Fetal Associative Learning: literature review
Academic Advising: review of empirical studies in this area, design and methodology for possible study

NOTE: Any individuals with a background in computer programming are strongly encouraged to apply for research assistant positions

Erick M. Dubuque, M.A., BCBA

Thesis title: The Impact of Practice Effects on the Adduction of Composite Skills (Advisor: Ramona Houmanfar, Ph.D.)

Research interests: philosophical & conceptual issues in behaviorism; international dissemination & application of behavior analysis; organizational behavior management; complexity; cultural/religious practices; international development; social issues; instructional technology

Grants Awarded: Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA), “International Development Grant,” $1,000

Current Projects

An Investigation Comparing Conventional and Mobile Measurement Methods Across Varying Levels of Complexity
The Impact of Time-Out Conditions on Student Performance in an Online Instructional Context
Sustaining the Efficacy of Applied Behavior Analysis
Reclaiming Morality for the Behavior Scientist

Timothy C. Fuller, M.A. BCBA

Thesis title: Contextual Control of Perceptual Behavior (Advisor: Linda J. Hayes, Ph.D)

Research interests: interbehaviorism; perception; respondent conditioning; behavior analysis and social issues; standard measurement & its application; behavior analysis in educational settings

Current Research Projects

On the Persistence of Pairing: A Contemporary Look at the Influence of Respondent Conditioning.
The project is a theoretical look at the contemporary influences that respondent conditioning has made in areas of experimental research. The project consists of looking at a variety of experimental literature in the area of psychology.
Contextual Control of Perceptual Behavior
An experimental attempt to see how perception can change over time. The project consists of running undergraduate students through an experimental protocol, data analysis, and preparation for publication.

Matthew Lewon

Research interests: operant & respondent components of emotion; relationship between natural selection and operant conditioning; development of preference; conditioned reinforcement; behaviorology; dissemination of behavior analysis

Current Research Projects:

Mixed Emotions: The Role of Emotions in Behavior Analysis

Maria Isabel Munoz Blanco, M.A.

Thesis title: Substitution of Perceptual Functions (Advisor: Linda J. Parrott, Hayes, Ph.D.)

Research interests: Interbehaviorism; Behavior Analysis Theory and Philosophy; Perception; Verbal Behavior

Grants Awarded: Sidney, W. and Janet R. Bijou Scholarship (Summer, 2008), Autism mice model evaluation.

Current Research Projects:

I am working on two different topics, the first one relates to issues of perception and language and how they relate to homophones. The second topic is part of an interdisciplinary project with the Medical School, in which I take behavioral measures to develop an animal model of autism. Undergraduate students working with me will be involved with literature reviews, running human subjects and data analysis, working with animals is optional and depends on the availability of the student.

Recent Selected Laboratory Publications

Dubuque, E. & Hayes, L. J. (2010). ABAI Support for Educational Initiatives in the Middle East. Inside Behavior Analysis, 2(1), 56-58.

Hayes, L. J., Dubuque, E. M., Fryling, M. J. & Pritchard, J. K. (2009). A behavioral systems analysis as a scientific system. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 29, 315-332.

Clayton, M. C., Hayes, L. J., & Swain, M. A. (2006). Scientific system building: The case of interbehaviorism. In B. Midgley & E. K. Morris (Eds.) Modern Perspectives on J. R. Kantor and Interbehaviorism. Reno: Context Press.

Hayes, L. J. & Delgado, D. (2005). Transgenic and knockout mouse models: The problem of language. In G. Fisch & J. Flint (Eds.) Murine Models of Psychiatric Disorders. New York: Humana.

Hayes, L. J., & Tarbox, J. (2005). Ethics and values in behavioral perspective. In J. W. Jacobson, J. A. Mulick, & J. Rojahn (Eds.) Handbook of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, New York: Springer.

Johnston, M. & Hayes, L. J. (2005). Use of a simulated work setting to study behavior based safety. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 25(1), 1-34.

Sa, L., Delgado, D. & Hayes, L. J. (2005). The functional nature of the behavioral segment. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis.

Tarbox, J. & Hayes, L. J. (2005). Verbal behavior and behavioral contrast in humans. The Psychological Record, 55, 419-437.

Clayton, M. & Hayes, L. J. (2004). A comparison of match-to-sample and respondent-type training of equivalence classes. The Psychological Record, 54, 579-602.

Hayes, L. J. & Houmanfar, R. (2004). Units and measures: A response to Glenn & Malott. Behavior and Social Issues, 13, 106-110.

Hayes, L. J., & Thomas, J. (2004). On the practical value of system building for behavior science. TheBehavior Analyst Today. 5(3), 284.

Doctoral Alumni

Mark Adams, Ph.D., Parent Training Consulting, Sacremento, CA

Mike Clayton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Jacksonville State University

Diana Delgado, Ph.D., Director of the Cognition and Perception Laboratory & Director of the research line on Complex Human Behavior, Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz

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