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0.5 BACB General CEUs $0 On-Demand

General CEU: When Science Meets Animal Training: An Interview with Bob Bailey

Bob Bailey occupies a singular position in the history of behavior analysis. As a biologist and chemist by training who became one of the foremost animal trainers of the twentieth century, Bailey's career is a case study in what happens when genuine scientific rigor is applied to the practical challenges of behavior change.

Provider: CEUniverse

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Course Description

In an interview, Bob Bailey shares his unique path into behavior analysis, beginning as a chemist and biologist drawn to animal behavior. He discusses his pioneering role in animal training, including directing the US Navy Dolphin Program and collaborating with the Brelands. Bailey highlights the value of data, experimental design, and innovations like the "Keep going signal" in enhancing training. He urges future trainers to adopt a scientific mindset, collaborate across disciplines, and continue evolving the field. In an interview with Bob Bailey, a notable figure in behavior analysis, he discusses his unconventional journey into the field, starting as a chemist and biologist with a fascination for animal behavior. Despite not being a psychologist by training, Bailey became deeply involved in studying and training animals, initially in the wild and later in controlled environments. He recounts his unexpected role as the first Director of Training for the US Navy Dolphin Program and his work with the Brelands, who significantly advanced his understanding of animal training. Bailey emphasizes the importance of data collection and experimental design in improving training efficiency, and laments the loss of valuable data in a fire during the 1980s. He reflects on his career, highlighting his efforts to pass on accurate information and the development of techniques like the "Keep going signal," which enhances training precision. Bailey notes the evolution of behavior analysis, becoming more open to outside ideas and recognizing the complexity of animal behavior beyond controlled environments. He advocates for collaboration between academicians and practitioners, emphasizing the need for more research in stimulus control and simplifying training methods. Bailey concludes by encouraging future behavior analysts and animal trainers to embrace a scientific approach, be adaptable, and integrate knowledge from various disciplines to advance 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.

What You'll Learn

  1. Describe Bob Bailey's pioneering contributions to animal training including the US Navy Dolphin Program.
  2. Identify the role of data, experimental design, and innovations like the Keep Going Signal in animal training.
  3. Explain how a scientific mindset and cross-disciplinary collaboration can advance behavior analysis practice.

CEU Credits Earned

Certification BodyCreditsType
BACB 0.5 General
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Clinical Disclaimer

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.

60+ Free CEUs — ethics, supervision & clinical topics