Natural Science and Learning: A Review of Behavior Analysis and Learning (5th Edition)

Abstract

Reviews the book: "Behavior Analysis and Learning (5th ed.) by W. D. Pierce and C. D. Cheney (see record 2013-10785-000). The reviewer maintains that this book clearly identifies learning as a natural science process and places behavior analysis at the center of learning research and theory. The text progresses from fundamental assumptions, methods, and basic principles, to complex applications and culminates with a strong discussion of selection by consequences as the underlying principle for behavioral, evolutionary, and cultural change. The authors root their text in classic and contemporary empirical studies in the experimental analysis of behavior. Additionally, the text frequently branches into applied behavior analysis, behavioral neuroscience, and other topics with thoughtful and challenging subsections. The depth and scope of this latest edition of Behavior Analysis and Learning makes it a highly versatile text that can fulfill various goals of undergraduate and graduate programs. What follows is a review that highlights selected chapters, summarizes noteworthy supplemental sections, and identifies considerations for potential readers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)