BEHAVIORAL DATA SCIENCE RESEARCH LAB

BASIC RESEARCH PROJECTS

How might vector embeddings be useful in behavior analysis?

Vector embeddings are a potentially powerful quantitative description of verbal behavior. How might we use this to do things like shape human verbal behavior, model the evolution of verbal communities, and understand gaps in our research literature?

How can we better account for the complex multiple control of choice?

Choice is multiply controlled, dynamic, and context-dependent. Despite this, less research has focused on systematically understanding how different variables known to influence choice in isolation will interact (e.g., effort x probability; effort x delay; the role of verbal stimuli; earnings budgets x probability x delay).

Quantitative analyses of the multiple control of choice

As we move to better understand the complex control of choice, we'll likely theoretical and analytic approaches to help us keep track of the things and know what is most important. Projects here are aimed at these kinds of theoretical and methodological extensions.

Creating artificial organisms that imitate organismic behavior

Richard Feyman once said, "What I cannot create, I do not understand." We're testing just how much we understand by trying to create artificial organisms that display expected patterns of organismic behavior.

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

Using behavioral economics to describe and predict ethical decision-making

Though this sounds straightforward, it's anything but. Most work here requires novel methodological approaches that stay true to the underlying behavioral economics literature while carrying face validity with non-laboratory ethical decision-making. But we welcome the challenge.

Practically using quantitative models in non-laboratory environments

Many models have been developed to describe environment-behavior relations. But how well do they perform in more complex settings? And, when do they become irrelevant?

Behavioral reoccurrence when therapeutic conditions change

The only constant in life is chance. But it doesn't mean we can't describe and predict behavior when therapeutic conditions change. And, what is needed to improve brief human operant procedures that might lead to therapeutic advances in this area?

APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Variables that influence clinical-ethical decision-making

How do people make clinical and ethical decisions in nonlaboratory contexts? What variables are most important in shaping these decisions? How can we help people do better?

Doing more with the data we collect

Behavior analysts collect A LOT of data. But many only use a small fraction. What techniques can we use (and share with others) to learn new things about behavior and improve the quality of services we deliver?

AI Literacy

How do people use AI in ABA now? What skills are needed to use AI effectively? What skills are needed to use AI ethically?