2010 CalABA Award for Outstanding Contributions
to Behavior Analysis
John A. Nevin, PhD
University of New Hampshire

Thursday, Feb. 18 • 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.   (more info.)

Dr. Nevin is Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of New Hampshire. In 1954, he obtained a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University, and served in the US Coast Guard from 1954 to 1959. He began graduate studies in experimental psychology at Columbia University in 1959, received an M.A. in 1961, and a Ph.D. in 1963. From 1963 to 1968, he was Assistant Professor of Psychology at Swarthmore College. In 1968, he joined the Columbia University Psychology Department as an Associate Professor, becoming a Professor in 1969. From 1972 to 1995, he was Professor of Psychology, University of New Hampshire. In 1995, he retired to Martha's Vineyard, where he maintains his research interests and participates in community housing and conservation projects.

His honors include Distinguished University Professor, University of New Hampshire, 1991; Basic Research Award, Division 25, American Psychological Association, 1999; Award for Impact of Science on Application, Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, 2004; Don Hake Basic/Applied Research Award, Division 25, American Psychological Association, 2004. He was a cofounder of the Society for Quantitative Analysis of Behavior in 1978.

Behavioral Momentum: Equations and Applications
Since 1983, the metaphor of behavioral momentum has been developed into a series of equations and fitted to data obtained in a variety of basic research paradigms. The metaphor has also been applied qualitatively in translational and clinical studies. Here, I will present a nontechnical discussion of the ways in which the momentum equations may enhance applied analyses.


2010 Glenda Vittimberga Memorial Lecture    (top)
Stephanie M. Peterson, PhD, BCBA-D · Western Michigan University

Friday, Feb. 19 • 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.   (more info.)

Dr. Peterson is Professor of Psychology at Western Michigan University. She earned her doctorate in Special Education at The University of Iowa in 1994. Her primary research interests are choice making, functional communication training, reinforcement-based interventions for children with problem behavior, and concurrent schedules of reinforcement in the treatment of severe problem behavior and in functional analysis of problem behavior. She also has interests in applications of behavior analysis to educational interventions and teacher training. She currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, is a Senior Editor for Education and Treatment of Children, and is Senior Associate Editor of Behavior Analysis in Practice.

Concurrent Schedules of Reinforcement During Stimulus Fading Intervention
Stimulus fading is an intervention procedure that consists of decreasing demands to very low levels and slowly increasing them over time. This has been shown to be a successful treatment for escape-motivated challenging behavior for some individuals. However, one limitation of the procedure is that, for some individuals, bursts of problem behavior occur each time the demands are increased (Lalli, Casey, & Kates, 1995; Zarcone et al., 1994). One reason bursts may occur is that an alternative skill other than compliance, such as a mand, that is functionally equivalent to the problem behavior has not been taught. This study examined the effects of teaching a mand and making it available during a stimulus fading intervention for participants with escape-motivated problem behavior via a concurrent schedules arrangement. During the two-choice arrangement, compliance and problem behavior were reinforced on independent schedules of reinforcement, while during the three-choice arrangement, compliance, mands, and problem behavior were reinforced on independent schedules of reinforcement. Results will be presented for a sample participant. The findings will be examined in relation to matching theory, and the practical implications for intervention will also be discussed.


Poster Session, Social, and Skinner Foundation Silent Auction    (top)
Thursday, Feb. 18 • 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Garden Pavilion

Catch up on the latest in research and practice in behavior analysis while catching up with old friends and making new ones! Cash bar available.

This year we are holding our B. F. Skinner Foundation Auction as a silent auction. Stop by the Poster Session to view photos of auction items and submit your bidding sheets! Item photos will also be on display Thurs. and Fri. in the registration area. Bidding starts at registration on Thurs. Bidding sheets will also be available Fri. Don't miss this opportunity to bid on rare B. F. Skinner memorabilia. Winners will be announced at the luncheon on Friday (see below). Proceeds from the auction will help fund the work of both the B. F. Skinner Foundation and CalABA.


Job Fair and Graduate Program Expo
Thursday, Feb. 18 • 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Garden Pavilion

Learn about master's and doctoral programs in the region that offer an emphasis or track in behavior analysis. Faculty and students from a number of colleges and universities will be available to talk with interested parties. Employers seeking professionals with training and experience in behavior analysis will also be available to meet with prospective job applicants. This is a great opportunity for job seekers to learn about employment opportunities, and for employers to access the talented pool of Western Region behavior analysts.


2010 Luncheon, Advocacy Award, Public Policy Presentation, and Auction Results    (top)
Friday, Feb. 19 • 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m., Garden Pavilion

This year's luncheon will host three very special events!

• Advocacy Award. CalABA will present a very special advocacy award to Dr. Lou Vismara. Dr. Vismara is a physician (cardiologist) and a parent of four children. Since his son, Mark, was diagnosed with autism he has dedicated himself to issues of child development, learning differences, diversity, and appropriate access to health care for under-served populations. Lou is the co-founder of the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Vismara changed careers in 2000, retiring from cardiology to work as a health-related policy consultant for Senator John L. Burton, President pro Tempore, California State Senate. From 2004 until 2008, Lou served as a senior policy advisor to Sen. Don Perata during his term as the President of the California Senate. During that time, Lou worked extensively on the formation and the implementation of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism and the Autism Legislative Package of 2007-2008. Lou continues to work as a senior policy consultant for special projects with the current Pro Tem, Senator Darrell Steinberg. Presently, he is focused on supporting the Senate Select Committee on Autisms and Related Disorders.
• Public Policy Presentation. James Gross will speak about the impact of public policy on our profession and practice. Mr. Gross is a partner in the California law firm Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Mueller & Naylor, LLP. He specializes in government law and the legislative process and is one of the original members of the firm's government law section. Over the last 20 years, he has participated in the development and passage of major legislation affecting the delivery of health and human services in California. Public policies have far-reaching consequences on our profession for practitioners, researchers, students, and consumers alike. Mr. Gross will highlight current public policy issues; and, how the profession can and should bring its message to policy makers. This is a must-hear presentation! In these uncertain legislative times, we all would like to have a better sense of where we are and what lies ahead.
• Skinner Foundation Silent Auction Results. Find out who the winning bidders are, and the winning bid on each item! CalABA is delighted to have the B. F. Skinner Foundation Auction as part of our luncheon festivities. Proceeds from the auction will help fund the work of both the B. F. Skinner Foundation and CalABA.

Be sure to pre-register for the luncheon to make sure you have a seat for this event, as it is expected to sell out quickly.


Book Signings    (top)

Add to your behavior analysis library with personalized copies of important books authored by leaders in the field. Copies will be available for purchase in the CalABA store.

Friday, Feb. 19 • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Grand Foyer. Judy Agnew will be signing copies of

• Removing Obstacles to Safety: A Behavior-Based Approach

Friday, Feb. 19 • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Grand Foyer. Stephanie Peterson will be signing copies of

• Focus on Behavior Analysis in Education (2005)