Leonard Green's career sits at the intersection of experimental behavior analysis and economics — a territory that has produced some of the most theoretically rich and practically relevant work in the field. Beginning with foundational research on the matching law and extending into the study of temporal and probability discounting, Green's work has helped explain why individuals make choices that appear, by conventional economic standards, irrational — and has provided behavior analysts with quantitative tools for understanding choice behavior in both laboratory and applied contexts.
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Join Free →In this interview, Leonard Green shares his unexpected path into behavior analysis, sparked by undergraduate courses and influential readings. He reflects on the dynamic developments of the 1960s and 70s, including the matching law and interdisciplinary work blending economics and psychology. Green highlights his research on discounting and its broader applications, while expressing concern over stagnation in the field. Despite challenges, he remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing the need for rigorous science and innovation in behavior analysis. In this interview, Leonard Green, a prominent figure in behavior analysis, discusses his unconventional journey into the field, emphasizing the role of chance and serendipity in his career path. Initially, Green did not set out to become a behavior analyst, nor was he familiar with the term. His interest was piqued during his undergraduate studies, specifically through a course on the psychology of learning and readings on experimental analysis of behavior. Green recounts how he was drawn to behavior analysis by the idea that behavior, both normal and abnormal, can be modified without stigmatizing individuals. He reflects on the exciting era of the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting significant developments like the matching law and the integration of behavioral and cognitive perspectives. Green also acknowledges the contributions of his mentor, Howard Rachlin, and the influence of interdisciplinary work, especially in merging economics and psychology. He discusses his involvement in research on discounting and value, noting the potential applications in neuroscience and real-world problems. Throughout the interview, Green expresses concerns about stagnation and sloppy thinking in behavior analysis, while also advocating for a broader application of behavioral principles in fields like education and gerontology. Despite his reflections on the past and present challenges, Green remains hopeful about the future of behavior analysis, emphasizing the importance of good science and the evolution of ideas in the field. Below is the entire non-interactive version of this video. It does not contain embedded questions or completion tracking like the CEU version of the module. Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB | 1 | General |
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.