Ep45 Learning to be Constructional through Art and Animals with Kellie Sisson Snider

Atypical Behavior Analyst

We’re putting on our theory and philosophy hats for this one! In this LIVE talk with Kellie Sisson Snider, MS, artist, writer, and aggression consultant, we’re going to discuss the concept of reinforcement, Constructional Aggression Training, and Art in the behavioural sciences. Kellie worked with shelter animals, private practice, and her application of negative reinforcement to teach consent and approach behaviors with aggressive dogs, was ground-breaking, especially when it came to the concept of reinforcement. Utilizing the constructional approach Kellie was able to create a technique that is successful because it incorporates the critical consequence- what is already reinforcing the behavior- instead of forcing the pairing of a new consequence when the animal isn’t ready.

Like most new techniques and methods, CAT was developed out of a need and has been expanded upon with creativity. Learning to interpret an animal’s behaviors can be difficult and requires curiosity, investigation, and artistry. Trainers should be aware of what stimuli are salient for the organism and that sometimes, what is already maintaining their behavior may not be convenient for training. That’s where creativity comes in. Breaking down larger desired behaviors into smaller more attainable components, helps meet the learner at their current level; building upon already learned behaviors can be much easier than teaching a brand-new skill.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe Reinforcement as a concept and not just part of the “Four Functions”.

2. Recognize how art and creativity are a critical part of behavioural science and vice versa.

3. How “creative behaviors” can emerge, both “good” and “bad”, and how to be flexible with in the situation.

4. Define the concept of “trigger stacking” and how it can impact behavior and treatment.

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