The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Operant and Classical Conditioning

This handbook on operant and classical conditioning reflects the acknowledged similarities in the fundamental principles of the two varieties of learning behavior. The detailed assessment it provides of contemporary behavior analysis affords readers an enhanced understanding of the mutually reinforcing aspects of the two forms of conditioning. Explaining the basic theory alongside a full range of its applications, the volume covers many aspects of current understanding in this vital field of psychology research, offering a breadth of perspective that will satisfy the requirements of a diverse academic readership.

The content begins with a full account of the conceptual foundations of the subject, including the physiological substrates of classical conditioning and the related learning modality of habituation. The applications of conditioning, such as taste aversions, phobias, immune system responses, and drug effects, are explored in the handbook’s second section, followed by a review of the core literature in operant conditioning that features current topics such as behavioral economics. The book’s final section deals with the expanding field of applied behavior analysis, featuring material that ranges from intensive behavioral treatment for children with developmental disabilities to behavior analytic approaches to aging.

Frances K. McSweeney is Regents Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Washington State University, USA. Cited as one of the most prolific contributors to behaviour analysis journals, she holds both Masters and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University. The former Chair of WSU’s Department of Psychology and of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Professor McSweeney is a fellow of ABAI, of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 3 and 25), and of the Association for Psychological Science. Her recent research focuses on short-term changes in reinforcer effectiveness.

Eric S. Murphy is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, USA, and holds a doctorate in experimental psychology from Washington State University. He has published research in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and in 2010 received UAA’s Faculty Exemplar Award for enhancing undergraduate research opportunities. A specialist teacher and researcher in behavior analysis, Dr Murphy is currently leading a study of the variables regulating reinforcer effectiveness.