Description:
When changing behavior, we are often uniquely focused on the
Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence sequence. However, less emphasis is
placed on understanding the role of "drive" or motivation in
behavior. Understanding and utilizing the concepts of Motivating Operations (MOs)
from the field of Behavior Analysis, is a needed skill for every trainer
in order to have a more complete understanding of why an animal does what it
does. MOs will explain why some behavior seems to “come out of nowhere” with no
antecedents in sight and why reinforcers may gain or lose value in a single
moment. Attendees will learn complex topics, such as understanding the
difference between Establishing and Abolishing Operations, Discriminative
Stimuli and MOs, and the importance of MOs in extinction, appetitive and
aversive conditioning, and unconditioned and conditioned MOs. Understanding
these topics will allow attendees to have a more complete understanding of
human and non-human animal behavior.
Speaker: Dr. Alexandra (Sasha) Protopopova, MS, PhD, CPDT-KA is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech University. The Human-Animal Interaction Lab, directed by Dr. Protopopova, systematically explores questions of companion animal well-being, behavior, and human-animal interactions. Her research aims are 1) to improve the well-being of dogs housed in animal shelters, 2) assess and develop therapy dog programs to benefit human health and educational outcomes, and 3) improve our general understanding of animal behavior. Dr. Protopopova earned an MS and a PhD in Behavior Analysis from University of Florida and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and is a frequent presenter in scientific and professional conferences. Dr. Protopopova spends her days conducting behavioral research, teaching university classes in Animal Shelter Management, and cuddling dogs.
CEU 1:
CCPDT, IAABC, KPA, NADOI
Note: This course has attendance prompts throughout the webinar in order to get CEUs.
Due to the nature of webinars they can not be refunded once purchased and expire 90 days after purchase date.