Beyond the Black Box Sara Richter, CDBC & Jenn Dize

A brief message from the hosts. It's been a while, but we are thrilled to be back, and excited to release some new content, coming soon!

Join us as we explore the complex relationship and differences between choice, freedom, and agency in animal training; and delve into whether our current discussions surrounding agency are truly reaping the benefits described in the current literature to empower animals. The science is clear, agency isn't an aspiration, it's a prerequisite and fundamental component of instructional design. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking journey!



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References: 

Bandura, A. (n.d.). Agency. Albert Bandura Social Psychology. https://albertbandura.com/albert-bandura-agency.html 

Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191-215.

Desnoyer, Brittany & Liu, Kimy. (2022). Personal Agency as a Component of Applied Behavior Analysis. Intervention in School and Clinic. 105345122211405. 10.1177/10534512221140529. 

Hebert, Emmie & Flynn, Maureen & Wilson, Kelly & Kellum, Karen. (2021). Values Intervention as an Establishing Operation for Approach in the Presence of Aversive Stimuli. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. 20. 10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.04.001. 

Maier SF, Seligman ME. Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Psychol Rev. 2016 Jul;123(4):349-67. doi: 10.1037/rev0000033. PMID: 27337390; PMCID: PMC4920136.

Ming, S., Gould, E., & Fiebig, J. H. (2023). Understanding and applying relational frame theory: Mastering the foundations of complex language in our work and lives as behavior analysts. Context Press, New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 

Veilleux, J. C. (2023). A Theory of Momentary Distress Tolerance: Toward Understanding Contextually Situated Choices to Engage With or Avoid Distress. Clinical Psychological Science, 11(2), 357–380. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026221118327

Wilson, K. G., & DuFrene, T. (2009). Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to Mindfulness in Psychotherapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

In this episode, we introduce co-host Jenn Dize, self-described dog-nerd, as we recount the story of how Jenn's adorable and reactive pup Chloe, and TikTok prompted her to take a headlong leap into choice-based communication. How the R+2.0 community sparked a friendship fueled by our mutual passion for learning, animals, and science. We hope you all will join us in continuing to explore the boundaries of what may be possible in our lives and work alongside animals!

Click here to find and follow Jenn and Chloe on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenn_and_chloe?_t=8dCFIIM8vxW&_r=1. The playlist documenting their ongoing journey with Choice-Based Communication can be found under the favorites tab.



Click here for a transcript of this episode.

If we acknowledge the probability that animals experience cognitive distortions, how could we possibly apply practical strategies to address it? We don't have to read an animal's mind, we can act to combat the potential for false predictions not by acknowledging what will not be, but rather by modeling what will be. By crafting a learning environment that guarantees safety, and creates a space for them to explore the reality of whatever their expectations are. Crafting learning environments enables the learner to construct knowledge that benefits them as it relates to their past learning history and experiences, and how it may best contribute to their future needs. It offers a variety of paths toward the absorption of the necessary information. This type of teaching is at the forefront of human learning experiences, a learner-centered approach. It’s not new or groundbreaking in theory or practice in the human realm, but it is so foreign to us in animal training, it's time we catch up.



Click here for a transcript of this episode.