• Faculty
• Research
• Facilities
• Admissions
• Courses
• Links
• Contact

Home / Research

Behavior Analysis Research at Pacific

Graduate students at Pacific are actively engaged in research and regularly present and local and national conferences and publish in some of the most respected journals in the field. All students are required to conduct an empirical thesis and most become actively engaged in collaborative research with faculty.

A list of faculty research interests can be found on the Faculty page.

View abstracts of recent student theses»

Recent Faculty and Student Publications
Bold indicates student author

Larson, T. A., Normand, M. P., Morley, A. J., & Miller, B. G. (in press). A functional analysis of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in young children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Hustyi, K. M., Normand, M. P., Larson, T. A., & Morley, A. J. (2012). The effect of outdoor activity context on physical activity in preschool children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 401-405. [abstract]

Hustyi, K. M., Normand, M. P., & Larson, T. A. (2011). Behavioral assessment of physical activity in obese pre-school children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 635-639. [abstract]

Normand, M. P., & Beaulieu, L. (2011). Further evaluation of response-independent delivery of preferred stimuli on child compliance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 665-669. [abstract]

Larson, T. A., Normand, M. P., & Hustyi, K. M. (2011). Preliminary evaluation of an observation system for recording physical activity in children. Behavioral Interventions, 26, 193-203. [abstract]

Normand, M. P., Machado, M. A., Hustyi, K. M., & Morley, A. J. (2011). Infant sign training and functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 305-314. [abstract]

Normand, M. P., & Kohn, C. S. (2011). Teach your children well: A review of Chance’s The Teacher’s Craft: The Ten Essential Skills of Effective Teaching. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 417-420.

Normand, M. P., Kestner, K.M., & Jessel, J. (2010). An analysis of treatment failure with the high-p instruction sequence. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 735-738. [abstract]

Normand, M. P., & Osborne, M. R. (2010). Promoting healthier food choices by college students using individualized dietary feedback. Behavioral Interventions, 25, 183-190. [abstract]

Schneider, S. M., & Lickliter, R. L. (2010). Choice in the quail neonate: The origins of generalized matching. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 94, 315-326.

Schneider, S. M., & Lickliter, R. (2010). Operant generalization in quail neonates after intradimensional training: Distinguishing positive and negative reinforcement. Behavioural Processes, 83, 1-7.

Schneider, S. M., & Lickliter, R. (2009). Operant generalization of auditory tempo in quail neonates. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 16, 145-149.

Lafrance, D., Wilder, D. A., Normand, M. P., & Squires, J. L. (2009). Extending the assessment of functions of vocalizations in children with limited verbal repertoires. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 25, 19-32 . [abstract]

Normand, M. P. (2009). Much ado about nothing? Some comments on B.F. Skinner’s definition of verbal behavior. The Behavior Analyst, 32, 185-190. [abstract]

Donaldson, J. M., & Normand, M. P. (2009). Using goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback to increase calorie expenditure in obese adults.. Behavioral Interventions, 24, 73-83. [abstract]

Normand, M. P. (2008). Increasing physical activity through self-monitoring, goal-setting, and feedback. Behavioral Interventions, 23, 227-236. [abstract]

Normand, M. P. (2008). Science, skepticism, and applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1, 42-49.

Zuluaga, C. A., & Normand, M. P. (2008). Evaluation of the high-probability instruction sequence with and without programmed reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41, 453-457. [abstract]

Normand, M. P., Severtson, E.S., & Beavers, G. A. (2008). A functional analysis of non-vocal verbal behavior of a young child with autism. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 24, 63-67. [abstract]

Schneider, S. M. (2008). A two-stage model for concurrent sequences. Behavioural Processes, 78, 429-441.

Normand, M., & Dallery, J. (2007). Mercury rising: Exposing the vaccine-autism myth. Skeptic, 13, 32-36.

Schneider, S. M. (2007). The tangled tale of genes and environment: Moore’s The dependent gene: The fallacy of “nature vs. nurture.” The Behavior Analyst, 30, 91-105.

Martinez-Diaz, J., Freeman, T., Normand, M., & Heron, T. (2007). Ethical practice of applied behavior analysis. In J. Cooper, T. Heron, & W. Heward, Applied Behavior Analysis (2nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall/Merrill.

Bullock, C., & Normand, M. P. (2006). The effects of a high-probability instruction sequence and response-independent reinforcer delivery on child compliance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 39, 495-499. [abstract]

Recent Faculty and Student Presentations
Bold indicates student author

Hustyi, K. M., Normand, M. P., Larson, T. A., & Morley, A. J. (2011, May). A functional analysis of physical activity in preschool children. Paper presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, Denver, CO.

Larson, T. A., Miller, B. G., Morley, A. J., & Normand, M. P. (2011, May). A Comparison of Interval Recording Methods for Measuring Physical Activity Levels. Paper presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, Denver, CO.

Normand, M. P. (2011, May). Current research in the functional analysis and treatment of problem behavior. Discussant for symposium conducted at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, Denver, CO.

Machado, M. A., Kohn, C. S., & Normand, M. P., (2011, May). Picture this: Smoking cues as elicitors of compensatory responses in smokers. Poster presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, Denver, CO.

Larson, T. A., Normand, M. P., Morley, A. J., & Hustyi, K. M. (2011, April). A functional analysis of physical activity in preschool children. Poster presented at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies: Applied Behavior Analysis: Evidence-based Solutions for Helping People conference, Fresno, CA.

Machado, M. A., Normand, M. P., Morley, A. J., & Hustyi, K. M. (2011, April). Infant sign-language training and functional analysis. Poster presented at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies: Applied Behavior Analysis: Evidence-based Solutions for Helping People conference, Fresno, CA.

Machado, M. A., Kohn, C. S., & Normand, M. P., (2011, February). Picture this: Smoking cues as elicitors of compensatory responses in smokers. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Miller, B. G., & Normand, M. P., (2011, February). Be healthy: Behavioral assessment of physical activity. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Machado, M. A., Larson, T. A., White, H., & Normand, M. P., (2011, February). Using functional analysis methodologies in preschool classrooms. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Normand, M. P., Machado, M. A., Hustyi, K. M., & Morley, A. J. (2011, February). Infant sign-language training and functional analysis. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Hustyi, K. M., Normand, M. P., Larson, T. A., & Morley, A. J. (2011, February). Functional analysis of physical activity in preschool children. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Normand, M. P. (2011, February). Verbal behavior analysis at California State University, Los Angeles. Discussant for symposium conducted at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Normand, M. P. (2011, February). Current research in the functional analysis and treatment of problem behavior. Discussant for symposium conducted at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Miller, B.G., Larson, T. A., & Normand, M. P., (2011, February). Validation of the Fitbit® fitness tracking device. Poster presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Miller, B.G., Larson, T. A., & Normand, M. P., (2011, February). A comparison of interval recording methods for measuring physical activity levels. Poster presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA.

Iwata, B. A., & Normand, M. P. (2010, July). Current issues in functional assessment and analysis. Workshop conducted at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA.

Normand, M. P. (2010, May). Much ado about nothing: Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior. Paper presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, San Antonio, TX.

Hustyi, K. M., Normand, M. P., Larson, T., & Greenberg S. B. (2010, May). Shaping physical activity in overweight and obese children. Paper presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, San Antonio, TX.

Kunnavatana, S. S., & Normand, M. P. (2010, May). A rapid treatment analysis of compliance in young children. Paper presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, San Antonio, TX.

Normand, M. P., Rehfeldt, R., & Dymond, S. (2010, May). Verbal behavior: Where should we go from here? Member of invited panel discussion at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, San Antonio, TX.

Normand, M. P. (2010, May). Recent research on child behavior management. Discussant for symposium (D. Wilder, Chair) conducted at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, San Antonio, TX.

Machado, M., Hustyi, K. M., Morley, A., & Normand, M. P. (2010, May). Infant sign training and functional analysis. Poster presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, San Antonio, TX.

Normand, M. P. (2009, November). The nature-nurture debate and behavior analysis: Heritability, heredity, and behavior. Keynote Address presented at the Fresno State University Applied Behavior Analysis Conference, Fresno, CA.

Normand, M. P. (2009, November). Battling the bulge: Behavior analysis in health and fitness. Invited colloquium presented at Fresno State University, Department of Psychology, Fresno, CA.

Normand, M. P. (2009, October). Behavior analysis in health and fitness: Promoting physical activity. Paper presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, MA.

Larson, T. A., Normand, M. P., Hustyi, K. M., & Greenberg, S. (2009, October). The development and validation of physical activity measurement systems. Paper presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, MA.

Hustyi, K. M., Normand, M. P., Larson, T. A., & Greenberg, S. (2009, October). Shaping physical activity in obese and overweight children using percentile schedules. Paper presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, MA.

Hustyi, K. M., Machado, M., & Normand, M. P. (2009, October). Infant sign training and functional analysis. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, MA.

Kunavatana, S. S., & Normand, M. P. (2009, October). Rapid treatment analysis for compliance. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, MA.

Kunavatana, S. S., Normand, M. P., Larson, T., & Jensen, S. (2009, October). Assessing the effectiveness of a parent-training model through direct measurement of parent behavior change. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Amherst, MA.

Hanley, G., & Normand, M. (2009, June). Reinforcement in clinical practice: Identifying and evaluating reinforcing items and activities. Workshop conducted at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA.

Kestner, K. M., Normand, M., & Jessel, J. (2009, May). An analysis of treatment failure with the high-p instruction sequence. Poster presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, Phoenix, AZ.

Baum, W., Normand, M., Schlinger, H., & Sidener, D. (2009, May). Behavior analysis of rule-governed behavior: Contrasting views. Moderator of panel discussion at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International, Phoenix, AZ.