Research program with Prof. Joseph J. Pear, University of Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

Dr. Joseph Pear, University of Manitoba, co-advised Marileide Oliveira for a one-year scholarship (CAPES and CNPq). Currently, the international participation of the LAHMIEI research group has been greatly fueled through the São Paulo School for Advanced Science (ESPCA): Advances in research and treatment of autistic behavior, supported by FAPESP. The conference will be held from January 9th to 13th of 2012 and will receive researchers and students from Brazil and from all over the world for discussing the contemporary advances in research and treatment of individuals with autism. We aim to apply for financial support due to continue international participation of the LAHMIEI research group and to develop research in collaboration with Dr. Joseph J. Pear. He has been greatly contributed to the development of behavior analysis in North America for over four decades. He developed the Computer-aided Personalized System of Instruction (CAPSI), which has been used to teach a number of psychology courses at the University of Manitoba. Currently, Dr. Joseph Pear has been pioneering investigating the performances of species of fish called Pimelodus blochii in schedules of reinforcement. Dr. Joseph J. Pear is the author of books considered classical in psychology courses, such as the "Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it", which is in its 9th edition and is co-authored with Dr. Garry Martin and The Science of Learning (2001, Published by Psychology Press, Philadelphia, PA). The invitation is justified, firstly, because of the contributions of Dr. Joseph J. Pear to the area and, hence, because it will make possible to our research group to attend to research activities in collaboration with professor Pear. The research projects he will be consulting for on during his visit 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 Dr. Joseph J. Pear to participate in the following activities: (1) Vth Seminário Internacional de Pesquisa do LAHMIEI, consult with students' projects. (2) Sit on Ms. Oliveira's doctoral committee, (3) Consult post-doctoral research proposal for Ms. Oliveira, and (4) Discuss alternatives to submit article to publication. Dr. Joseph J Pear's visit will be advertised through LAHMIEI’s and UFSCar's and other relevant websites. (AU)