The history, method, and theory of Sidman avoidance
Performers
Iver H. Iversen | University of North Florida |
Abstract
Sidman's avoidance procedure was very influential for a basic understanding of negative reinforcement mechanisms. The presentation will sketch the history of development of this method from the early 1950s and articulate relevant theoretical and data-analytical issues. The experimental approach using animals as subjects will be illustrated with coverage of actual experiments and data analysis. Avoidance literature was once very prolific and had implications for behavioral pharmacology and every-day human coercive interactions, but by now publications on avoidance are quite rare.