Modeling VI and VDRL feedback functions: Searching normative rules through computational simulation.

We present the mathematical description of feedback functions of variable interval and variable differential reinforcement of low rates as functions of schedule size only. These results were obtained using an R script named Beak, which was built to simulate rates of behavior interacting with simple schedules of reinforcement. Using Beak, we have simulated data that allow an assessment of different reinforcement feedback functions. This was made with unparalleled precision, as simulations provide huge samples of data and, more importantly, simulated behavior is not changed by the reinforcement it produces. Therefore, we can vary response rates systematically. We've compared different reinforcement feedback functions for random interval schedules, using the following criteria: meaning, precision, parsimony, and generality. Our results indicate that the best feedback function for the random interval schedule was published by Baum (1981). We also propose that the model used by Killeen (1975) is a viable feedback function for the random differential reinforcement of low rates schedule. We argue that Beak paves the way for greater understanding of schedules of reinforcement, addressing still open questions about quantitative features of simple schedules. Also, Beak could guide future experiments that use schedules as theoretical and methodological tools.

Rachlin's extended self: Influences on a Brazilian research group.

We pay tribute to Rachlin's work stating that researching and writing for posterity is an act of self-control and altruism. We show how Rachlin's work influenced a series of seminars at the University of São Paulo (Brazil) based on his book from 1989, Judgment, Decision, and Choice. This influence is illustrated through two empirical exercises conducted during our seminars, where students were actively involved in data collection and analysis. The first exercise is about judgment of randomness involving coin tossing. The second is a replication of a procedure by Jones and Rachlin (2006) about social discounting of monetary quantities. We use these empirical examples to highlight some of Rachlin's major contributions to the science of behavior and their implications to our seminars and to ourselves as researchers.

Willingness to produce disadvantageous outcomes in cooperative tasks is modulated by recent experience.

Cooperative behavior represents a situation in which individuals sometimes act in a way that produces a gain to another at a cost to themselves. This may be explained by a history of repeated interactions with others in which such behavior has resulted in reciprocal cooperation from others. Sometimes, even with reciprocal cooperation, gains and costs are unbalanced between partners. In this case, there is evidence that people may present an aversion to both disadvantageous and advantageous distributions of gains. In other words, they may act in such a way as to ensure an equal outcome among all group members. Aversion to inequity that benefits oneself (advantageous inequity (AI) aversion) may be more dependent on social and cultural cues than aversion to inequity that benefits others (disadvantageous inequity (DI) aversion). Using both between-subjects (Experiment 1) and within-subjects (Experiment 2) manipulations, the influence of recent experience with AI on participants' willingness to produce DI was explored within the context of a two-player card game. In initial game phases, the percentage of trials in which the participant experienced AI was manipulated. In subsequent game phases, participants had the opportunity to produce DI to themselves. The results from both experiments suggest that aversion to DI is reduced by recent experience with AI. This procedure allows social influences on DI to be tested, which may be important for providing a psychological explanation of cultural differences in aversion to DI.

Statistical process control charts for better analysis of sequential data in psychology: The case of illusion of control experiments.

Illusion of control (IOC) is a bias in the judgment of personal success with implications to learning theories and health policies; some important questions in the investigation of IOC may be related to traditional measures in the field, namely self-assessment using Likert scales about the sense of control. Statistical process control (SPC) and Shewhart charts are methods developed to monitor and control industrial processes, never applied in psychological studies before. The present two studies investigated the use of the technique of Shewhart charts in the analysis of IOC. The purpose was to explore the use of SPC and Shewhart charts in the analysis of data sequences from psychological experiments; the objective was to analyze the results of reaction time (RT) data sequences plotted in SPC charts, in comparison with self-assessment judgments from an IOC task. Participants were 63 undergraduate students (Study 1) and 103 mine workers (Study 2) instructed to try to control a traffic light on a computer by pressing or not the keyboard. Higher probabilities of the successful outcome generated judgments of illusion and shifts (due to cognitive activity) in the charts of RT; lower probabilities resulted in null illusion and RT presented a random and stable profile. Patterns for different groups emerged in Shewhart charts. SPC can contribute to the analysis of the behavior of sequences of data in psychological studies, so that the charts indicate changes and patterns not detected by traditional ANOVA and other linear models.

Comportamento e seleção pelas consequências: a análise do comportamento no Brasil entre o dogma e a ciência / Behavior and selection by consequences: behavior analysis in Brazil - between dogma and science / Comportement et sélection par conséquences: l'analyse comportementale au Brésil - entre dogme et science / El comportamiento y la selección por consecuencias: el análisis del comportamiento en Brasil entre el dogma y la ciência

Resumo Considerando-se as recentes discussões sobre a definição de comportamento e do modelo de seleção por consequências conduzidas por pesquisadores brasileiros, discutimos a necessidade de maior participação das contribuições da análise experimental do comportamento no debate de conceitos da área e mais interação da área com outros sistemas em Psicologia. Criticamos o isolamento em relação à produção de conhecimento de outras áreas e a adoção de figuras de autoridade a partir da qual se possa fazer a avaliação das novidades da área. Para tanto, a análise do contexto no qual Skinner propôs seu modelo de seleção por consequências precisa ser feita para clara compreensão das contribuições mais importantes dessa proposta. Mostramos que a discussão sobre a distinção operante-respondente e a pertinência da noção de metacontingências são exemplos de revisão conceitual feita com base em dados e articulação entre áreas de pesquisa com epistemologias e metodologias diferentes, mas possíveis de serem articuladas.

Abstract Based on recent discussions about the definition of behavior and the selection by consequences approach conducted by Brazilian researchers, this essay discusses the need for greater participation of the contributions from experimental behavior analysis this debate and more interaction of the field with other systems in Psychology. The paper criticizes its isolation with respect to knowledge production in other areas and the adoption of authority figures from which novelties in the field can be evaluated. Hence, Skinner's model of selection by consequences must be analyzed in context for a clear understanding of its most important contributions to Psychology. The essay argues that discussions on the operant-responder distinction and about metacontingencies are examples of conceptual revision based on data and articulation between areas of research with different epistemologies and methodologies.

Résumé A partir des récentes discussions sur la définition du comportement l'approche de la sélection par conséquences menées par des chercheurs brésiliens, cet éssai discute la nécessité d'une plus grande participation des contributions de l'analyse expérimentale du comportement à ce débat et d'une plus grande interaction du domaine avec d'autres systèmes de la psychologie. L'article critique son isolement par rapport à la production de connaissances dans d'autres domaines et l'adoption de figures d'autorité à partir desquelles les nouveautés dans le domaine peuvent être évaluées. Ainsi, le modèle de séléction par conséquences de Skinner doit être analyser en context pour une compréhension claire de ses contributions les plus importantes à la psychologie. L'essai soutien que les discussions sur la distinction opérant-répondeur est un exemple de révision conceptuelle basée sur les données et l'articulation entre des domaines de recherche avec des épistémologies et des méthodologies différentes.

Resumen Desde la perspectiva de discusiones recientes sobre la definición de conducta y el modelo de selección por consecuencias realizadas por investigadores brasileños, en este ensayo discutimos la necesidad de una mayor participación de los aportes del análisis experimental de la conducta en el debate de conceptos en el área y una mayor interacción del área con otros sistemas en Psicología. Criticamos el aislamiento en relación a la producción de conocimiento de otras áreas y la adopción de una figura de autoridad a partir de la cual se evalúe las novedades en el área. Por tanto, el análisis del contexto en el que Skinner propuso su modelo de selección por consecuencias debe realizarse para una clara comprensión de los aportes más importantes de esta propuesta. La discusión sobre la distinción operante-respondedor es un ejemplo de revisión conceptual basada en datos y articulación entre áreas de investigación con diferentes epistemologías y metodologías, pero posibles de articularlas.

Reciprocity With Unequal Payoffs: Cooperative and Uncooperative Interactions Affect Disadvantageous Inequity Aversion.

Cooperation among unrelated individuals can evolve through reciprocity. Reciprocal cooperation is the process in which lasting social interactions provide the opportunity to learn about others' behavior, and to further predict the outcome of future encounters. Lasting social interactions may also decrease aversion to unequal distribution of gains - when individuals accept inequity payoffs knowing about the possibility of future encounters. Thus, reciprocal cooperation and aversion to inequity can be complementary phenomena. The present study investigated the effects of cooperative and uncooperative interactions on participants' aversion to disadvantageous inequity. Participants played an experimental task in the presence of a confederate who acted as a second participant. In reality, the participant interacted with a computer programed to make cooperative and uncooperative choices. After interacting with a cooperative or uncooperative computer, participants chose between blue cards to produce larger gains to the computer and smaller for him/her or green cards to produce equal and smaller gains for both. Results confirmed our first hypothesis that uncooperative interactions would produce aversion to disadvantageous inequity. Lastly, half of the participants were informed that points received during the experiment could be later exchanged for money, and half were not. Results indicated that information about monetary outcomes did not affect aversion to inequity, contradicting our second hypothesis. We discuss these results in the light of theories of reciprocal cooperation, inequity aversion, and conformity.

Research and Training in Culturo-Behavior Science.

Culturo-behavior science (CBS) is a developing area and recently formalized specialization in behavior science that brings together principles and techniques from behavior analysis (e.g., Skinner, 1953), behavioral systems analysis (e.g., Brethower, 2008), cultural analysis (e.g., Glenn et al., 2016), and cultural systems analysis (Mattaini, 2020). Culturo-behavior scientists typically work within a selectionist and/or (ecological) systems perspective to advance our understanding of how cultural phenomena develop and change over time and how more effective cultures and systems can be designed (Cihon & Mattaini, 2019, 2020b). The purpose of the current article is to describe CBS, to introduce the recently formulated Association for Behavior Analysis International verified course sequence (VCS) and certificate program in CBS, and to present different pathways to training in CBS. We do this through the presentation of examples from the literature and from four universities that have adopted the CBS VCS and certificate program that are illustrative of how different programs may approach research and training in CBS.

Persistence of repeated self-reported illusion of control as a product of action and outcome association in productive and preventive scenarios.

Individuals interpret themselves as causal agents when executing an action to achieve an outcome, even when action and outcome are independent. How can illusion of control be managed? Once established, does it decay? This study aimed to analyze the effects of valence, probability of the outcome [p(O)] and probability of the actions performed by the participant [p(A)], on the magnitude of judgments of control and corresponding associative measures (including Rescorla-Wagner's, Probabilistic Contrast, and Cheng's Power Probabilistic Contrast models). A traffic light was presented on a computer screen to 81 participants who tried to control the green or red lights by pressing the spacebar, after instructions describing a productive or a preventive scenario. There were 4 blocks of 50 trials under all of 4 different p(O)s in random order (0.10, 0.30, 0.70, and 0.90). Judgments were assessed in a bidimensional scale. The 2 × 4 × 4 mixed experimental design was analyzed through General Linear Models, including factor group (between-subject valence), and block and p(O) (within subjects). There was a small effect of group and a large and direct effect of p(O) on judgments. Illusion was reported by 66% of the sample and was positive in the productive group. The oscillation of p(O) produced stronger illusions; decreasing p(O)s produced nil or negative illusions. Only Rescorla-Wagner's could model causality properly. The reasons why p(A) and the other models could not generate significant results are discussed. The results help to comprehend the importance of keeping moderate illusions in productive and preventive scenarios.

Behavior and illusions: a model to study superstition in a participant replacement experiment.

The notion of superstitious behavior can provide a basic background for understanding such notions as illusions and beliefs. The present study investigated the social mechanism of the transmission of superstitious behavior in an experiment that utilized participant replacement. The sample was composed of a total of 38 participants. Participants performed a task on a computer: they could click a colored rectangle using the mouse. When the rectangle was in a particular color, the participants received points independently of their behavior (variable time schedule). When the color of the rectangle was changed, no points were presented (extinction). Under an Individual Exposure condition, ten participants worked alone on the task. Other participants were exposed to the same experimental task under a Social Exposure condition, in which each participant first learned by observation and then worked on the task in a participant replacement (chain) procedure. The first participant in each chain in the Social Exposure condition was a confederate who worked on the task "superstitiously," clicking the rectangle when points were presented. Superstitious responding was transmitted because of the behavior of the confederate. This also influenced estimates of personal control. These findings suggest that social learning can facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of superstitious behavior and the illusion of control. Our data also suggest that superstitious behavior and the illusion of control may involve similar learning principles.

Behavior and illusions: a model to study superstition in a participant replacement experiment

Abstract The notion of superstitious behavior can provide a basic background for understanding such notions as illusions and beliefs. The present study investigated the social mechanism of the transmission of superstitious behavior in an experiment that utilized participant replacement. The sample was composed of a total of 38 participants. Participants performed a task on a computer: they could click a colored rectangle using the mouse. When the rectangle was in a particular color, the participants received points independently of their behavior (variable time schedule). When the color of the rectangle was changed, no points were presented (extinction). Under an Individual Exposure condition, ten participants worked alone on the task. Other participants were exposed to the same experimental task under a Social Exposure condition, in which each participant first learned by observation and then worked on the task in a participant replacement (chain) procedure. The first participant in each chain in the Social Exposure condition was a confederate who worked on the task "superstitiously," clicking the rectangle when points were presented. Superstitious responding was transmitted because of the behavior of the confederate. This also influenced estimates of personal control. These findings suggest that social learning can facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of superstitious behavior and the illusion of control. Our data also suggest that superstitious behavior and the illusion of control may involve similar learning principles.

Afeto e comportamento social no planejamento do ensino: a importância das consequências do comportamento / Affection et comportement social dans le planification d'enseignement: le rôle des conséquences du comportement / Afecto y comportamiento social en la planificación de la enseñanza: la Importancia de las consecuencias del comportamiento / Affection and social behavior in teaching planning: the role of the consequences of behavior

Nosso objetivo neste ensaio é refletir sobre a necessidade de uma visão integrada do desenvolvimento da cognição e do afeto para o planejamento acadêmico. O estudante a todo tempo manipula e transforma o ambiente ao seu redor. Relações sociais que se desenvolvem nesse contexto envolvem unidades comportamentais entrelaçadas em que indivíduos ora atuam sobre o ambiente, transformando-o, ora funcionam como aspectos críticos do ambiente em que outros atuam. Este texto aponta a necessidade de identificar relações entre o sujeito que se comporta e seu ambiente social. Um recurso prático para lidar com questões do campo do afeto e da cognição no ensino envolve identificar e lidar com as consequências sociais do comportamento. Críticas da noção de reforço para a análise do comportamento humano são debatidas levando em conta a necessidade de explorar melhor a complexidade do comportamento humano em contextos sociais

Notre objectif dans cet article est de réfléchir sur la nécessité d'une vision intégrée du développement de la cognition et de l'affection à la planification académique. Pour cela, en particulier, nous avons exploré le rôle des conséquences sur le comportement des élèves. L'étude du rôle des conséquences du comportement est l'un de l'analyse du comportement des contributions à la psychologie. Dans cette étude, nous cherchons également à articuler cette contribution avec d'autres contributions, principalement de la psychologie du développement. La question principale à cette approche intégrée est de regarder l'élève comme un être actif, que chaque fois manipule et transforme l'environnement qui est autour de lui. Les relations sociales qui se développent dans ce contexte concernent des appareils de comportement qui sont entrelacés dans les individus parfois en agissant sur l'environnement, la en transformant, parfois en servant comme aspects critiques de l'environnement dans lequel d'autres agissent. Compte tenu ces considérations, le texte souligne la nécessité d'identifier les relations entre les personnes qui se comportent et leur environnement social, en particulier ceux qui peuvent être décrit par la notion de renforcement social positif. En ce sens, les relations sociales doivent être planifiées sur la base des contributions des études montrant le rôle des conséquences du comportement humain, en particulier le comportement social. En conséquence, il est souligné dans le texte qu'une ressource pratique pour traiter des questions de champ de l'affection et de la connaissance dans l'enseignement consistera à identifier et faire face aux conséquences sociales de comportement des gens. Critiques de notion de renforcement essentielle pour l'analyse du comportement humain sont opposés à une notion qui nécessite de traitement des effets des conséquences, en rendant compte la complexité du comportement humain dans un contexte social

Nuestro objetivo en este trabajo es reflexionar sobre la necesidad de una visión integrada del desarrollo de la cognición y del afecto para la planificación académica. El estudiante a todo momento manipula y transforma su entorno. Las relaciones sociales que se desarrollan en ese contexto implican unidades comportamentales entrelazadas, en que individuos ora actúan sobre el entorno, transformándolo, ora funcionan como aspectos críticos del ambiente en que otros actúan. Con base en estas consideraciones, este texto señala la necesidad de identificar las relaciones entre el sujeto que se comporta y su entorno social. Un recurso práctico para hacer frente a las cuestiones del campo del afecto y de la cognición en la enseñanza implica identificar y hacer frente a las consecuencias sociales del comportamiento. Se discuten críticas de noción refuerzo para el análisis del comportamiento humano, teniendo en cuenta la necesidad de explorar mejor la complejidad del comportamiento humano en contextos sociales

Our goal in this paper is to reflect on the need for an integrated view of development of cognition and affection for academic planning. We explored, in particular, the role of consequences of student behavior, which is one of the major contributions to psychology from behavior analysis. The key issue for this integrated approach is to look at the student as an active subject, one that manipulates and transforms the surrounding environment at all times. The social relationships that are developed in this context involve interwoven behavioral units. Sometimes, individuals act over the environment, transforming it; sometimes they serve as critical aspects of the environment in which others act. Based on these considerations, this article points to the need of identifying relationships between individuals and their social environment, especially those relationships which can be described using the notion of positive social reinforcement (adding something). In this sense, social relationships should be planned based on the contributions from studies showing the role of the consequences of human behavior, especially social behavior. As a result, the text points out that the practical tool to deal with issues related to affection and cognition in teaching involves identifying and dealing with the social consequences of people's behavior. Criticism to the concept of reinforcement for the analysis of human behavior are opposed to the notion that requires dealing with the effects of the consequences, taking into account the complexity of human behavior in social contexts

The study of superstition in behavioral sciences: discussing experimental arrangements and theoretical assumptions / O estudo da superstição nas ciências do comportamento: debatendo procedimentos experimentais e concepções teóricas / El estudio de la supertición en ciencias de la conducta: debatiendo procedimientos experimentales y concepciones teoricas

Superstition has been analyzed in behavioral sciences through the use of several terms (e.g., superstition, superstitious behavior, superstitious rules, and superstitious beliefs). This paper argues that the interpretation of the results of studies on superstition depend on: a) the experimental arrangements that are used to study this subject, b) what each of these arrangements enable us to conclude about behavioral relations, and c) assumptions about the role that is attributed to verbal behavior during the construction of superstitions. The role that is attributed to verbal behavior and the experimental arrangements that are chosen are related to underlying concepts of the effects of environmental variables on the control of behavior, namely whether these variables have a direct or indirect (mediational) effect over behavior. Based on these discussions, an alternative course of action is to emphasize existing functional relations between variables as a direct contingency effect, regardless of whether these variables or effects are verbal or nonverbal.(AU)

La superstición ha sido analizada en las ciencias de la conducta por medio del uso de diversos términos (e.g., superstición, conducta supersticiosa, reglas supersticiosas y creencias supersticiosas). En este artículo, se argumenta que la diversidad terminológica, bien como en la interpretación de los resultados de los estudios sobre superstición se relaciona a los procedimientos experimentales usados para investigar esse tema, al que cada uno de estos procedimientos permite concluir sobre relaciones comportamentales y a las concepciones sobre el papel asignado a la conducta verbal en la constitución de las supersticiones. Aún, se argumenta que el papel asignado al verbal y los procedimentos experimentales elegidos se basan en los presupuestos sobre los efectos de las variables ambientales en el control de la conducta, o sea, se essas variables tienen un efecto directo o indirecto (mediado) sobre la conducta. A partir de essas discusiones, la énfasis em las relaciones funcionales existentes entre variables ambientales y comportamentales como un efecto directo de las contingencias es discutida como un curso de acción alternativa capaz de lidiar con los aspectos verbales y no verbales relacionados a la superstición.(AU)

A superstição tem sido analisada nas ciências do comportamento por meio do uso de diversos termos (e.g., superstição, comportamento supersticioso, regras supersticiosas e crenças supersticiosas). Neste artigo, argumenta-se que a diversidade terminológica, bem como na interpretação dos resultados dos estudos sobre superstição se relaciona aos procedimentos experimentais usados para investigar esse tema, ao que cada um desses procedimentos permite concluir sobre relações comportamentais e às concepções sobre o papel atribuído ao comportamento verbal na constituição das superstições. Ainda, argumenta-se que o papel atribuído ao verbal e os procedimentos experimentais escolhidos se baseiam nos pressupostos sobre os efeitos das variáveis ambientais no controle do comportamento, ou seja, se essas variáveis tem um efeito direto ou indireto (mediado) sobre o comportamento. A partir dessas discussões, a ênfase nas relações funcionais existentes entre variáveis ambientais e comportamentais como efeitos diretos das contingências é discutida como um curso de ação alternativa capaz de lidar com os aspectos verbais e não verbais relacionados à superstição.(AU)

The study of superstition in behavioral sciences: discussing experimental arrangements and theoretical assumptions / O estudo da superstição nas ciências do comportamento: debatendo procedimentos experimentais e concepções teóricas / El estudio de la supertición en ciencias de la conducta: debatiendo procedimientos experimentales y concepciones teoricas

Superstition has been analyzed in behavioral sciences through the use of several terms (e.g., superstition, superstitious behavior, superstitious rules, and superstitious beliefs). This paper argues that the interpretation of the results of studies on superstition depend on: a) the experimental arrangements that are used to study this subject, b) what each of these arrangements enable us to conclude about behavioral relations, and c) assumptions about the role that is attributed to verbal behavior during the construction of superstitions. The role that is attributed to verbal behavior and the experimental arrangements that are chosen are related to underlying concepts of the effects of environmental variables on the control of behavior, namely whether these variables have a direct or indirect (mediational) effect over behavior. Based on these discussions, an alternative course of action is to emphasize existing functional relations between variables as a direct contingency effect, regardless of whether these variables or effects are verbal or nonverbal..

A superstição tem sido analisada nas ciências do comportamento por meio do uso de diversos termos (e.g., superstição, comportamento supersticioso, regras supersticiosas e crenças supersticiosas). Neste artigo, argumenta-se que a diversidade terminológica, bem como na interpretação dos resultados dos estudos sobre superstição se relaciona aos procedimentos experimentais usados para investigar esse tema, ao que cada um desses procedimentos permite concluir sobre relações comportamentais e às concepções sobre o papel atribuído ao comportamento verbal na constituição das superstições. Ainda, argumenta-se que o papel atribuído ao verbal e os procedimentos experimentais escolhidos se baseiam nos pressupostos sobre os efeitos das variáveis ambientais no controle do comportamento, ou seja, se essas variáveis tem um efeito direto ou indireto (mediado) sobre o comportamento. A partir dessas discussões, a ênfase nas relações funcionais existentes entre variáveis ambientais e comportamentais como efeitos diretos das contingências é discutida como um curso de ação alternativa capaz de lidar com os aspectos verbais e não verbais relacionados à superstição.

La superstición ha sido analizada en las ciencias de la conducta por medio del uso de diversos términos (e.g., superstición, conducta supersticiosa, reglas supersticiosas y creencias supersticiosas). En este artículo, se argumenta que la diversidad terminológica, bien como en la interpretación de los resultados de los estudios sobre superstición se relaciona a los procedimientos experimentales usados para investigar esse tema, al que cada uno de estos procedimientos permite concluir sobre relaciones comportamentales y a las concepciones sobre el papel asignado a la conducta verbal en la constitución de las supersticiones. Aún, se argumenta que el papel asignado al verbal y los procedimentos experimentales elegidos se basan en los presupuestos sobre los efectos de las variables ambientales en el control de la conducta, o sea, se essas variables tienen un efecto directo o indirecto (mediado) sobre la conducta. A partir de essas discusiones, la énfasis em las relaciones funcionales existentes entre variables ambientales y comportamentales como un efecto directo de las contingencias es discutida como un curso de acción alternativa capaz de lidiar con los aspectos verbales y no verbales relacionados a la superstición.

Efeito de regras inacuradas e monitoramento sobre desempenhos em programas de reforços / Effect of inaccurate rules and monitoring on schedules of reinforcements performances

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito do monitoramento sobre a taxa de respostas na presença de regras inacuradas. Seis universitários foram expostos a um programa de reforço múltiplo Intervalo Fixo (FI) FI e, depois, a um programa de reforço múltiplo Extinção (EXT) EXT. O experimentador estava presente (i.e., monitoramento) em um dos componentes do múltiplo e não estava presente no outro. Antes das sessões, todos os participantes receberam, por escrito, a regra inacurada "pressione o botão rapidamente". Cada sessão teve a duração de 10 minutos. Os participantes emitiram taxas de respostas altas e não diferenciadas entre os componentes com ou sem monitoramento durante todo o experimento. Uma discussão dos resultados em termos de uma abordagem selecionista é realizada. (AU)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of monitoring on response rates in the presence of inaccurate rules. Six undergraduate students were exposed to an Fixed Interval (FI) FI multiple reinforcement schedule and then to an Extinction (EXT) EXT multiple reinforcement schedule. The experimenter was present (i.e., monitoring) during only one of the multiple-schedule components. Before sessions, participants received the written, inaccurate rule "press the button quickly". Sessions lasted for 10 minutes. Each participant emitted high response rates that were non-differential between components with or without monitoring. A discussion in terms of a selectionist approach is carried out. (AU)

A análise do comportamento no contexto do estudo evolucionista do comportamento social e da cultura / Behavior analysis in the context of the evolutionary study of social behavior and culture / El análisis de la conducta en el contexto del estudio evolucionista de la conducta social y cultura

A Análise do Comportamento pode ser entendida como uma perspectiva voltada para o estudo evolucionista do comportamento social e da cultura. A caracterização do comportamento social nessa área e pesquisas recentes sobre metacontingências e macrocontingências são contribuições nesse sentido. Outras perspectivas evolucionistas mais próximas da Biologia também têm produzido diversas teorias e resultados sobre o tema, mas sem dialogar com a Análise do Comportamento, que, por sua vez, pouco debate as contribuições dessas outras perspectivas. Este trabalho destaca possíveis convergências e complementaridades entre a Análise do Comportamento e estudos sobre aprendizagem social em animais não-humanos, construção de nicho e evolução cultural, visando estimular o diálogo entre pesquisadores de diferentes perspectivas evolucionistas que estudam comportamento social e cultura.

Behavior Analysis may be regarded as a perspective that tackles the evolutionary study of social behavior and culture. Social behavior's characterization in this field and recent researches on metacontingencies and macrocontingencies are contributions in this direction. Other evolutionary perspectives, closest to Biology, have also produced theories and evidences on this theme, but without dialogue with Behavior Analysis, which, by its turn, discusses little this other perspectives' contributions. This paper highlights possible convergences and complementarities between Behavior Analysis and studies on social learning in nonhuman animals, niche construction, and cultural evolution, aiming to enhance dialogues among researchers from different evolutionary perspectives studying social behavior and culture.

El Análisis de la Conducta puede ser vista desde una perspectiva enfocada al estudio evolucionista de la conducta social y cultura. La caracterización de la conducta social en esa área y estudios recientes sobre metacontingencias y macrocontingencias son algunas de sus contribuciones. Otras perspectivas evolucionistas aproximadas a la Biología también han producido diversas teorías y resultados sobre el tema, pero sin interactuar con el Análisis de la Conducta, que al mismo tiempo, poco debata las contribuciones de esas otras perspectivas. Este trabajo destaca posibles convergencias e complementaciones entre el Análisis de la Conducta y los estudios sobre aprendizaje social en animales no humanos, construcción de nicho y evolución cultural, con el objetivo de estimular el dialogo entre investigadores de diferentes perspectivas evolucionistas que estudian la conducta social y la cultura.

A Análise do Comportamento no contexto do estudo evolucionista do comportamento social e da cultura / Behavior Analysis in the context of the evolutionary study of social behavior and culture / El Análisis de la Conducta en el contexto del estudio evolucionista de la conducta social y cultura

ResumoA Análise do Comportamento pode ser entendida como uma perspectiva voltada para o estudo evolucionista do comportamento social e da cultura. A caracterização do comportamento social nessa área e pesquisas recentes sobre metacontingências e macrocontingências são contribuições nesse sentido. Outras perspectivas evolucionistas mais próximas da Biologia também têm produzido diversas teorias e resultados sobre o tema, mas sem dialogar com a Análise do Comportamento, que, por sua vez, pouco debate as contribuições dessas outras perspectivas. Este trabalho destaca possíveis convergências e complementaridades entre a Análise do Comportamento e estudos sobre aprendizagem social em animais não-humanos, construção de nicho e evolução cultural, visando estimular o diálogo entre pesquisadores de diferentes perspectivas evolucionistas que estudam comportamento social e cultura.(AU)

AbstractBehavior Analysis may be regarded as a perspective that tackles the evolutionary study of social behavior and culture. Social behavior's characterization in this field and recent researches on metacontingencies and macrocontingencies are contributions in this direction. Other evolutionary perspectives, closest to Biology, have also produced theories and evidences on this theme, but without dialogue with Behavior Analysis, which, by its turn, discusses little this other perspectives' contributions. This paper highlights possible convergences and complementarities between Behavior Analysis and studies on social learning in nonhuman animals, niche construction, and cultural evolution, aiming to enhance dialogues among researchers from different evolutionary perspectives studying social behavior and culture.(AU)

ResumenEl Análisis de la Conducta puede ser vista desde una perspectiva enfocada al estudio evolucionista de la conducta social y cultura. La caracterización de la conducta social en esa área y estudios recientes sobre metacontingencias y macrocontingencias son algunas de sus contribuciones. Otras perspectivas evolucionistas aproximadas a la Biología también han producido diversas teorías y resultados sobre el tema, pero sin interactuar con el Análisis de la Conducta, que al mismo tiempo, poco debata las contribuciones de esas otras perspectivas. Este trabajo destaca posibles convergencias e complementaciones entre el Análisis de la Conducta y los estudios sobre aprendizaje social en animales no humanos, construcción de nicho y evolución cultural, con el objetivo de estimular el dialogo entre investigadores de diferentes perspectivas evolucionistas que estudian la conducta social y la cultura.(AU)

Promoção de mudanças de comportamentos em crianças: o papel do automonitoramento do comportamento dos cuidadores / Promoting behavior changes in children: the role of care givers selfmonitoring behavior

O trabalho de educação comportamental com cuidadores, em diversos formatos, tem se mostrado eficaz na promoção de mudanças de comportamentos de crianças. O presente estudo se propôs a ensinar cuidadores a utilizarem estratégias de extinção e reforço, além de fazerem análises funcionais de comportamentos considerados por eles como inadequados. O estudo contou com cinco pares de cuidadores-crianças. Os cuidadores foram instruídos a observar e definir comportamentos das crianças. Em seguida, foram instruídos a observar como apresentavam consequências a comportamentos inadequados e adequados das crianças. Três das cinco famílias concluíram o programa de automonitoramento e treino de análises funcionais. Para duas das três famílias que concluíram o programa, houve remissão significativa de comportamentos inadequados em função das intervenções - reatividade ao automonitoramento e aprendizagem de análises funcionais. Para a terceira família, a mudança ocorreu já na linha de base, antes das intervenções, apenas com a prática da observação. Em todos os casos, o automonitoramento cumpriu papel relevante como ferramenta de controle dentro de um contexto de pesquisa aplicada. A quarta e a quinta família não concluíram o programa por dificuldades de comunicação escrita e por indisponibilidade para realizar as tarefas solicitadas...

Behavioral education of caregivers, in various formats, has proved effective in promoting changes in children's behavior. This experiment aimed to teach caregivers to use strategies of extinction and reinforcement, and to make functional analysis of behaviors to decrease the frequency of children's inappropriate behaviors. Three of the five families concluded the whole program of self-monitoring and functional analysis of behavior training. For two of the three families who completed the whole program, inappropriate behavior's remission was significant. For the third family, the changes were related to the mother's comprehension about the child's behavior before intervention. In all cases, self-monitoring played an important role serving as a control tool in an applied research context. The fourth and fifth family did not conclude the program due to the absence of written skills and due to problems in the availability to be part of the research...

Promoção de mudanças de comportamentos em crianças: o papel do automonitoramento do comportamento dos cuidadores / Promoting behavior changes in children: the role of care givers selfmonitoring behavior

O trabalho de educação comportamental com cuidadores, em diversos formatos, tem se mostrado eficaz na promoção de mudanças de comportamentos de crianças. O presente estudo se propôs a ensinar cuidadores a utilizarem estratégias de extinção e reforço, além de fazerem análises funcionais de comportamentos considerados por eles como inadequados. O estudo contou com cinco pares de cuidadores-crianças. Os cuidadores foram instruídos a observar e definir comportamentos das crianças. Em seguida, foram instruídos a observar como apresentavam consequências a comportamentos inadequados e adequados das crianças. Três das cinco famílias concluíram o programa de automonitoramento e treino de análises funcionais. Para duas das três famílias que concluíram o programa, houve remissão significativa de comportamentos inadequados em função das intervenções - reatividade ao automonitoramento e aprendizagem de análises funcionais. Para a terceira família, a mudança ocorreu já na linha de base, antes das intervenções, apenas com a prática da observação. Em todos os casos, o automonitoramento cumpriu papel relevante como ferramenta de controle dentro de um contexto de pesquisa aplicada. A quarta e a quinta família não concluíram o programa por dificuldades de comunicação escrita e por indisponibilidade para realizar as tarefas solicitadas.(AU)

Behavioral education of caregivers, in various formats, has proved effective in promoting changes in children's behavior. This experiment aimed to teach caregivers to use strategies of extinction and reinforcement, and to make functional analysis of behaviors to decrease the frequency of children's inappropriate behaviors. Three of the five families concluded the whole program of self-monitoring and functional analysis of behavior training. For two of the three families who completed the whole program, inappropriate behavior's remission was significant. For the third family, the changes were related to the mother's comprehension about the child's behavior before intervention. In all cases, self-monitoring played an important role serving as a control tool in an applied research context. The fourth and fifth family did not conclude the program due to the absence of written skills and due to problems in the availability to be part of the research.(AU)

Conceptual and Experimental Directions for Analyzing Superstition in the Behavioral Analysis of Culture / Direcciones Conceptuales y Experimentales para el Análisis de la Superstición en el Análisis Conductual de la Cultura

Este trabajo examina las nociones de ilusiones y creencias, discutiendo algunas ventajas que ofrece estudiar tales fenómenos basándose en los conceptos de conducta supersticiosa, superstición y reglas supersticiosas. El trabajo pone de relieve la posibilidad de investigar estas nociones en diferentes niveles de análisis, no sólo a nivel individual, centrándose en el nivel cultural; por otra parte, se presenta el Materialismo Cultural como una propuesta antropológica basada en principios adaptativos, la cual se adecua para tratar estos fenómenos en este nivel, además, discute el Análisis Experimental de las prácticas culturales y señala cómo estos análisis pueden ayudar a entender cómo la gente, en grupo, se comporta como si tuvieran control de su ambiente (cuando, a veces, de hecho, no lo tienen). Este trabajo ofrece una propuesta integradora que facilita el diálogo entre analistas de la conducta y psicólogos sociales y ofrece algunas rutas para un análisis cultural de las ilusiones y las creencias.

This paper examines the notions of illusions and beliefs, discussing some advantages offered by the study of these phenomena based on the concepts of superstitious behavior, superstition and superstitious rules. Among these advantages, the study highlights the possibility of researching these relationships in different levels of analysis, not only at the individual level, focusing on cultural level, this paper presents Cultural Materialism as an anthropological proposal for the consideration of these phenomena on the cultural level and based on adaptive principles, besides it discusses the experimental analysis of cultural practices and points out how they can help to understand how people in groups behave such as they are being effective in the control of the surrounding environment (when, sometimes, in fact, they are not). The paper offers an integrative proposal which makes easier behavior analysts' dialogue with social psychologists and offers some routes from cultural analysis of illusions and beliefs.

Metacontingencies, Experimentation and Nonhumans: Searching for Conceptual and Methodological Advances / Metacontingencias, experimentación y no-humanos: En búsqueda de avances conceptuales y metodológicos

La metacontingencia ha sido descrita como la relación funcional entre las contingencias conductuales entrelazadas, junto con su efecto directo e inmediato, llamado producto agregado, y un evento seleccionador dependiente de dicho efecto, llamado consecuencia cultural. El análisis metacontingencial permite la discusión de la complejidad del comportamiento humano en los sistemas sociales. En el presente estudio, quisimos revisar y discutir: (a) la importancia del análisis de procesos conductuales básicos para la comprensión de los fenómenos sociales humanos; (b) la necesidad de construir y mejorar los modelos experimentales de metacontingencias; (c) el estado actual de las investigaciones experimentales en metacontingencias; (d) el uso de modelos animales como forma de controlar los efectos de la conducta verbal, entre otras variables, sobre la selección cultural; (e) una propuesta concreta e ilustrativa de un modelo animal de metacontingencias.

Metacontingency has been described as the functional relation between interlocking behavioral contingencies, plus their direct and immediate effect, called aggregated product, and a selecting event dependent of such effect, called cultural consequence. The metacontingencies analysis enables the discussion of human behavior complexity in social systems. In the present study, we aimed to review and discuss: (a) the importance of basic behavioral processes analysis for the comprehension of social human phenomena; (b) the necessity of constructing and improving metacontingencies experimental models; (c) the current state of metacontingencies experimental investigations in humans; (d) the use of animal models as a way to control the effects of verbal behavior, among other variables, over cultural selection; (e) a concrete and illustrative proposal of an animal model of metacontingencies.