Michael Voltaire, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, will conclude the Hot Topics in Psychology lecture series for the fall 2010 semester with a talk titled “Behavior Analysis and Its Preeminence in Autism Treatment.” Voltaire will speak on Thursday, Dec. 2, from noon to 1:00 p.m., in the Carl DeSantis Building, room 1047.
Behavior analysis and modification involve the systematic application of operant learning principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals’ covert and overt behaviors in order to enhance their functioning. Behavior analysis has been in the vanguard of autism treatment. Moreover, many basic learning principles have been used as primary teaching methods for a number of behaviorally-based interventions used in teaching children with autism. This lecture will explore some of these principles.
Co-sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies, Hot Topics in Psychology is an annual, free brown-bag lecture series that enables students to gain a first-hand perspective of research in specific areas of psychology and also serves to open up potential scholarship collaboration among NSU students and faculty members. Those attending are encouraged to bring their lunches to the talks, providing their own “food for thought.” Pizza will also be served.
For more information, contact Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., associate professor in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8192 or Sarah Valley-Gray, Psy.D., associate professor in the Center for Psychological Studies.