Choice and preference assessment: experimental and translational studies

Abstract

The Human Learning, Interactive Multimedia and Informatized Teaching Laboratory (LAHMIEI), linked to the Psychology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), has been investing in the international insertion of its research group for some years, supported by FAPESP, CNPq, and Capes through different types of grants and scholarships. Recently, the LAHMIEI organized the visits of international professors who participated of research seminars. So, two research seminars happened during 2010. The I International Research Seminar had Tomas S. Higbee, from the Utah State University - Logan, as the guest, and the second had Edmund J. Fantino and Stephanie Stolarz-Fantino, both from the University of California - San Diego, funded by the Utah State University and by FAPESP, respectively. The IV International Research Seminar had Caio Miguel, from the California State University - Sacramento, as the guest. In the past, Richard Saunders, from The University of Kansas, hosted Silvia R. de Souza (1996, UEL), Silvia A. Fornazari (1998, UEL), Eliana A. C. Araújo (1998, post-doctoral FAPESP), Veronica Haydu (1998, UEL), Nassim C. Elias (2005, post-doctoral FAPESP), Ana Carolina Sella (2008, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados). Edmund J. Fantino and Stephanie Stolarz-Fantino, from the University of California, San Diego, hosted Giovana Escobal (2009, doctorate FAPESP). In the present, Joseph J. Pear, from The University of Manitoba, hosts Marileide Antunes de Oliveira (doctorate CAPES, sandwich CNPq), and Anna I. Petursdottir, from The Texas Christian University, hosts Jonas Fernandes Gamba (doctorate CAPES, sandwich CNPq), both for an 12 month internship. Caio Miguel, from the California State University, Sacramento, hosted Daniela Mendonça Ribeiro (2009, doctorate CAPES, sandwich CNPq). In the future, Thomas Sean Higbee, from the The Utah State University, will host Arthur Damião Medici (julho 2011, undergraduate student). The main products, derived from the international partnerships, are listed in the attachment 1. The present project has the purpose of requesting funds to continue the international insertion project, and the research collaboration with the presence of Thomas Sean Higbee in the V International Research Seminar. More specifically, Thomas Higbee will participate in activities related to the "Choice and preference assessment: experimental and translational studies". The grounds of the invitation to the professor are related to his recent researches on the topic, as well as the ongoing projects of LAHMIEI about the same topic. Thomas Sean Higbee will collaborate with a number of research projects, which are listed in the attached file "Description of Research Projects". These studies have been investigating the variables involved in the acquisition and maintenance of complex behavior in general and, more specifically, the acquisition of skills and maintenance and reduction of inappropriate behaviors in people with intellectual disabilities and autism under a behavioral-analytic perspective. The research involves the manipulation of environmental conditions in an attempt to facilitate the emergence of new skills in individuals with and without special educational needs. These issues are of theoretical interest as they refer to the identification and understanding of basic behavioral processes. Additionally, they present practical applicability since it enables the development of procedures to be incorporated in teaching programs for complex behavior in applied environments. The required funding will allow Higbee's visit to participate in the following activities: (1) submission of articles, written in collaboration, to international journals; (2) data discussion and design of new projects to be conducted in collaboration; (3) advice for the projects related to the related areas, and conducted by the researchers of LAHMIEI; (4) lectures for graduate and undergraduate students of the Psychology and... (AU)