Philosophical & Theoretical Interests

             I have focused on cultural psychology as my primary interest in the area of theory and philosophy. This interest has resulted in article publications and many conference presentations.   For instance, two of my recent conference presentations were associated with an invited participation in a Think Tank on Metacontingencies and Cultural Analysis in Campinas, Brazil during August of 2005.  This gathering was organized to facilitate the interaction of fifteen scholars in the field of behavior analysis whose work demonstrated conceptual and applied contributions to the analysis of cultural change.  One of the outcomes of this event was the invitation to publish a paper in Behavior & Social Issues.
           My interest in cultural psychology has influenced the development of my conceptual analyses of complex phenomena in cultural entities such as organizational settings.  A recent product of such analyses is a published paper on gossip and rumor in organizations which has led to design and implementation of a series of experimental studies.  
Basic Research Interests

            My interest in the basic research is twofold.  One area is associated with complex human behavior with an emphasis on the analysis of second language acquisition. The second area is related to the analysis of complex phenomena in social systems such as organizations.  More specifically, a series of thesis and dissertation studies in my lab have focused on analog preparations that target verbal networks and associated phenomena such as rumor in organizational settings, and remembering in the context of reading and comprehension in higher education.  In addition, a doctoral student member of my lab and I have designed a series of laboratory studies in the area of incentive preparations that demonstrate the effect of group and individual incentive plans on performance.  A list of current experimental projects is included in the last section of this document.

Applied Research Interests

             My applied interests in the areas of behavioral systems analysis, verbal networking in organizations, and instructional design have led to the implementation of a series of thesis projects, published articles, book chapter, and a book.  It is important to note that I have designed and implemented a majority of my revenue generation activities using a systematic and research oriented emphases.  Many of the presentations that my students and I have conducted in national and international conferences have been the products of our revenue generated activities associated with organizational consultations and Self-Paced, Interactive, Networked system of instruction in Psychology 101 (see vita).  For instance, one of the recent thesis projects entitled “Differential effects of elaborate feedback and basic feedback on student performance in a modified PSI course” was implemented during the Fall of 2004 and will be defended by the end of this semester.

Sharlet Butterfield

Jared Chase

Scholarly Interests

  • Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)
  • Behavioral Systems Analysis
  • Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) in direct care facilities
  • Relational Frame Theory & its relation to OBM
  • Pay for performance & other compensation systems

Scholarly Interests

  • Organizational Behavior Management
  • Performance Management
  • Behavioral Systems Analysis
  • Instructional Design
  • Personalized System of Instruction
  • Feedback
  • Goal Setting
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Values Clarification
  • Leadership
  • Organizational Consultation

Monica Garlock

Daniel Reimer

Scholarly Interests

  • Computer work
  • Organizational Behavior Management
  • Performance Management

Scholarly Interests

  • Organizational Behavior Management
  • Performance Management
  • Instructional Design
  • Behavioral Systems Analysis
  • Cultural Analysis

Greg Smith

Todd Ward

Scholarly Interests

  • Organizational Behavior Management
  • Behavioral Systems Analysis
  • Cultural Analysis & Intervention
  • Team Problem-Solving
  • Tactical Decision-Making
  • Verbal Behavior/RFT

Scholarly Interests

  • Cultural Psychology
  • Interbehaviorism
  • Behavioral Systems Analysis
  • Creativity and Problem-Solving
  • Complex Human Behavior

Personal website: http://wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/tward2

 

 
Grant Funding
 

Louis, Sushil (Principal), Bryant, Bobby D. (Co-Principal), Houmanfar, Ramona (Co-Principal), & Mahon, Jennifer (Co-Principal). "Co-Evolving Competent Strategies for Training and Decision Support," Sponsored by DOD-DON, Federal. Office of Naval Research (Sponsor Award Number: N00014-08-0781). 2008-2011. Amount: $949,000.00

Louis, Sushil (Principal), & Houmanfar, Ramona (Co-Principal). "A Context-Based Approach to User Modeling," Sponsored by NSF-EPSCoR, State. 2006-2008. Amount: $22,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected Publications

 

Smith, G.S., Houmanfar, R., & Denny, M. (in press). Impact of rule accuracy on productivity and rumor in an organizational analog. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management.

Johnson, R. A., Houmanfar, R., & Smith, G. S. (in press). The effect of implicit and explicit rules on customer greeting and productivity in a retail organization. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management.

Houmanfar, R. A., Rodrigues, N. J., & Smith, G. S. (2009). Role of communication networks in Behavioral Systems Analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 29, 257-275.

Chase, J., & Houmanfar, R. (2009). Differential effects of elaborate feedback and basic feedback on student performance in a modified PSI course. Journal of Behavioral Education, 18(3), 245-265.

Herbst, S. A., & Houmanfar, R. (2009). Psychological approaches to values in organizations and organizational behavior management. Journal of Organizaitonal Behavior Management, 29, 47-68.

Washio, Y., & Houmanfar, R. (2007).  Role of Contextual Control in Second Language Performance. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 23, 41-56.

Houmanfar, R., & Rodrigues, N. J. (2006).  Behavior analysis & cultural analysis: Points of contact and departure.  Behavior and Social Issues, 15, 13-30.

Alavosius, M. P., Houmanfar, R., & Rodriquez, N. J. (2005).  Unity of Purpose/Unity of Effort:  Private-sector Preparedness in Times of Terror. Disaster Prevention and Management, 14, 1-15.

Houmanfar, R., Hayes, L., & Herbst, S. A. (2005). An analog study of first language dominance and interference over second language. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 21, 75-98.

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

Houmanfar, R., Herbst, S., & Chase, J. (2003). Organizational Change Applications in Behavior Analysis:  A Review of the Literature and Future Directions. The Behavior Analyst Today, 4, 59-67.

Houmanfar, R., & Johnson, R. (2003). Organizational Implications of Gossip and Rumor.  Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 23 (2/3), 117-138.

Hayes, L. J., Austin, J., Houmanfar, R., & Clayton, M. C. (Eds.).(2001). Organizational change.  Reno, NV: Context Press.
           
Houmanfar, R., Hayes, L. J., & Fredericks, D. W. (2001).  Religion and cultural survival.  Psychological Record,51, 19-37.

Hayes, L. J., Houmanfar, Garlock. M., Ghezzi, P. M., Williams, W. L., & Carr, J. E. Academic entrepreneurship. In W. O’Donohue & J. E. Fisher (Eds.). (2000). Management and administration skills for the mental health professional.  San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Houmanfar, R., & Hayes, L. J. (1998).  Effect of feedback on task completion, time allocation and time distribution of graduate students.  Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 18, 69-91.
Contact Us

For further information please contact us at:

Ramona Houmanfar, Ph.D.
Behavior Analysis Program
Psychology Department
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
USA

Office: (775) 682-8693
Fax: (775) 784-1126
Email: ramonah@unr.edu

 

UNR

The University of Nevada, Reno

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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