Adaptive Behavior

Forgiveness

Should We Blame Criminals?

John Staddon, Ph.D. on January 4, 2023

A faction in legal theory claims that people should not be blamed for bad behavior because "they can't help it." Behavioral psychology, and logic, says otherwise.

A faction in legal theory claims that people should not be blamed for bad behavior because "they can't help it." Behavioral psychology, and logic, says otherwise.

Behaviorism

Teaching and the New Behaviorism

John Staddon, Ph.D. on August 26, 2022

What is missing from the Skinnerian view of teaching?

What is missing from the Skinnerian view of teaching?

Replication Crisis

The Replication Crisis and the Problem With Basic Science

John Staddon, Ph.D. on June 6, 2022

If group research is out, what now?

If group research is out, what now?

Smoking

A Serious Questioning of the Science of Smoking

John Staddon, Ph.D. on March 22, 2022

Why decades of research on smoking may require another look.

Why decades of research on smoking may require another look.

Bias

What Happened to the SAT?

John Staddon, Ph.D. on May 22, 2020

Why isn't the SAT issue ever settled?

Why isn't the SAT issue ever settled?

Smoking

Science and Activism

John Staddon, Ph.D. on April 28, 2020

Should scientists also be persuaders?

Should scientists also be persuaders?

Bias

Moral Algorithms

John Staddon, Ph.D. on April 2, 2020

Can a computer algorithm be racist?

Can a computer algorithm be racist?

Bias

No Offense

John Staddon, Ph.D. on July 23, 2019

Looking at a story of stereotyping through the lens of behaviorism.

Looking at a story of stereotyping through the lens of behaviorism.

What is the proper role for a professional organisation that serves both scientists and practitioners?

Career

Is Science Showing Diminishing Returns?

John Staddon, Ph.D. on April 4, 2018

Is there more "noise" than "signal" in some areas of science?

Is there more "noise" than "signal" in some areas of science?

Behaviorism

Animal Research

John Staddon, Ph.D. on November 26, 2017

Can research with animals advance human psychology? How trustworthy is a conservative commentator?

Can research with animals advance human psychology? How trustworthy is a conservative commentator?

Gender

Let us hear no more whining about 'disparate impact'

John Staddon, Ph.D. on August 24, 2017

Why do we hear so much about "gender disparities" when there are so many possible reasons for them?

Why do we hear so much about "gender disparities" when there are so many possible reasons for them?

Stress

Blinded with Science!

John Staddon, Ph.D. on August 4, 2017

Hearing speech you don't like can cause physical injury. Really?

Hearing speech you don't like can cause physical injury. Really?

Is modern finance a kind of engineering? Does it really power the economy? How big should the finance industry be?

Bias

Elasticity of Belief

John Staddon, Ph.D. on March 4, 2017

Attitudes based on little experience can be changed.

Attitudes based on little experience can be changed.

Is President Trump's speech more noise than signal?

Our legislative system is unbalanced. Too many, too bad, too old laws. Malthus and Parkinson show us the cause. Creating yet another bureaucracy may provide a cure.

Cognition

Open Letter to Mr. Tom Wolfe

John Staddon, Ph.D. on October 11, 2016

Is language really special? Or did it evolve just like other human abilities?

Is language really special? Or did it evolve just like other human abilities?

Motivation

What’s It All About, Alfie? (And Fred)

John Staddon, Ph.D. on October 7, 2016

Are schedules of reinforcement an accurate template for education? Or is operant conditioning irrelevant? Is education all about 'intrinsic motivation'?

Are schedules of reinforcement an accurate template for education? Or is operant conditioning irrelevant? Is education all about 'intrinsic motivation'?

Education

Size Matters

John Staddon, Ph.D. on August 25, 2016

When is a gift not a gift? The hidden, but predictable, cost of real-life changes in reinforcement schedule

When is a gift not a gift? The hidden, but predictable, cost of real-life changes in reinforcement schedule