CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 10: Mentorship, Punishment, and the Podcast Debate
ABA on Call
In this episode of ABA On Call, Rick and Doug sit down with doctoral student Christina Sena from the University of Pittsburgh to explore how ethical principles guide mentorship, clinical decision-making, and professional development in Applied Behavior Analysis. The conversation spans three critical areas: the ethics of mentorship and what it truly means to guide another professional beyond mere supervision; the ethical implications of using or rejecting punishment and extinction, highlighting the analyst’s duty to understand behavioral processes while safeguarding dignity, consent, and...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 9: Harnessing Virtual Reality for Social Skills: The Story of Social Wise VR
ABA on Call
This episode of ABA On Call features an engaging discussion with Jennifer Shahin and Nicole Lockerman, co-founders of Social Wise VR, a company pioneering the use of immersive virtual reality to teach social skills. Drawing from backgrounds in applied behavior analysis and education, the guests describe how outdated methods, such as worksheets and role-plays, often fail to generalize to real-life contexts. Social Wise VR addresses this challenge by providing realistic, actor-driven scenarios in controlled VR environments, allowing learners to safely practice social interactions, build...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 8: Teaching Sexuality Education for Students with Disabilities
ABA on Call
Rick and Doug are joined by Dr. Jen Wertalik of Georgia Southern University and Dr. Pam Wolfe, retired from Penn State University, to discuss their groundbreaking new book on sexuality education for individuals with disabilities. The conversation explores why sexuality education is essential, the heightened risks of abuse faced by this population, and how comprehensive instruction extends far beyond physiology to include relationships, self-advocacy, and decision-making. The guests highlight both the challenges and opportunities of preparing teachers, parents, and caregivers to...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 7: Translating Kahneman: Behavioral Science Meets Thinking, Fast and Slow
ABA on Call
In this episode of ABA On Call, Drs. Rick Kubina and Doug Kostewicz delve into the cognitive psychology classic "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman. With wit and depth, they explore System 1 and System 2 thinking, cognitive biases, regression to the mean, and the law of least effort, recasting each concept through a behavioral analytic lens. Rather than dismissing the cognitive approach, Rick and Doug model respectful synthesis, showing how behavior analysts can both challenge and learn from other psychological traditions. This engaging conversation helps bridge the gap...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 6: Clearing Up ABA’s Most Misunderstood Concepts
ABA on Call
In this insightful episode of ABA On Call, Rick Kubina and Doug Kostewicz tackle some of the most commonly misunderstood and misapplied concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis. From the mislabeling of reinforcement to the confusion between negative reinforcement and punishment, the hosts explore why technical accuracy matters and how misunderstanding core terms can derail effective practice. Using real-world stories, data interpretation, and even a behavioral lightning round, the episode clarifies foundational concepts like prompting, fluency, task analysis, motivation, and generalization....
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 5: Why Apps Are Addictive: How Tech Companies Exploit Behavior
ABA on Call
In this episode of ABA On Call, Rick and Doug dissect the behavioral science behind app design, revealing how tech companies use variable reinforcement schedules to hijack user behavior and drive compulsive engagement. Drawing from core principles of behavior analysis, they explore how seemingly harmless interactions, such as likes, swipes, and notifications, are systematically engineered to reinforce usage patterns. The conversation moves beyond theory into the ethical minefield of digital design, especially its impact on children, teens, and vulnerable users. With examples ranging from...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 4: Beyond Steady States: Behavior Dynamics
ABA on Call
The science of behavior has a lesser-known but powerful framework that draws inspiration from physics - behavior dynamics. In this episode, we discuss core concepts such as force, mass, and acceleration as they relate to behavior change, illustrating how behavior is not static but constantly in motion. While valuable, we highlight how traditional steady-state logic can limit our understanding in applied settings, especially where control is minimal. The discussion emphasizes the value of acceleration, bounce, and replication logic as valid indicators of experimental effects through examples...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 3: They Got It Wrong: Freud and the Illusions of Psychoanalysis
ABA on Call
In this episode of ABA On Call, we kick off our new series, They Got It Wrong, by dissecting the legacy of Sigmund Freud and his controversial theory of psychoanalysis. Despite its historical influence, Freud’s work was built on untestable assumptions and speculative reasoning rather than empirical science. We contrast his approach with the rigorous methods of behavior analysis, highlighting the importance of falsifiability, experimental validation, and data-driven interventions. Along the way, we explore the problematic implications of psychoanalytic thinking, from the harmful "refrigerator...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 2: The Illusion of Free Will: A Behavioral Science Perspective
ABA on Call
In this episode, we explore the scientific perspective on free will—or the lack thereof. Is human behavior truly a matter of personal choice, or is it shaped by biological, environmental, and cultural factors? We dive into an article discussing neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky’s book Determined, which argues against the existence of free will. His conclusions align with behavior analytic principles that emphasize reinforcement and contingencies as the true drivers of behavior. We also examine the broader societal implications, from criminal justice to education, and discuss the importance of...
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CentralReach “ABA On Call” Season 7 Ep 1: A Behavior Analysis of Cheating
ABA on Call
The Season Premier of ABA On Call, explores the complex phenomenon of cheating from a behavioral perspective. The concept of cheating is explored through various real-world examples, including academic dishonesty, professional sports scandals, and personal relationships. Grounded in the principles of reinforcement and rule governance, the episode highlights the contingencies that maintain cheating behaviors while addressing the broader cultural and systemic factors at play. The discussion underscores the value of applied behavior analysis in understanding and addressing ethical dilemmas. By...
info_outlineThis episode of ABA On Call features Rick Kubina and Doug Kostewicz discussing the book "Misbelief" by Dan Ariely. The conversation delves into the psychological and behavioral underpinnings of why rational people believe irrational things, exploring various conspiracy theories and the impact of social media on spreading these beliefs. The hosts emphasize the importance of compassionate care and understanding when addressing individuals dominated by misbeliefs. This course offers valuable insights for behavior analysts on how to apply behavioral principles to understand and mitigate the effects of misbeliefs.
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Show Notes
References:
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Ariely, D. (2023). Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things. HarperCollins Publishers.
Resources: