معرفی
Kennon Lattal is the Eberly Centennial Professor in the Department of Psychology at West Virginia University, within the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. He has been a key figure in behavior analysis since joining the faculty in 1972, and has served in numerous administrative and leadership roles, including Coordinator of the Behavior Analysis Program from 1982 to 2012.
- Ph.D. in Experimental and Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama
Dr. Lattal's research centers on behavior analysis, with major contributions to understanding delayed reinforcement, operant and Pavlovian extinction, temporal patterns in conditioning, and the influence of reinforcer magnitude and response requirements on behavior. He has also explored the conceptual role of the self in behaviorism and the historical development of key tools like the cumulative recorder. His work bridges basic and applied research, emphasizing translational insights.
The trends in his recent publications reflect a continued focus on fundamental mechanisms of learning, extinction dynamics, and the philosophical underpinnings of behavior analysis. His work often integrates historical, theoretical, and empirical perspectives, contributing to both methodology and conceptual clarity in the field.
His scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award (WVU)
- Distinguished Contributions to Basic Research Award (APA Division for Behavior Analysis)
- Don Hake Award for Translational Research
- Distinguished Contributions to Behavior Analysis Award (SABA)
- Multiple major teaching awards from WVU, APA, and ABAI
Dr. Lattal has mentored 40 doctoral students and actively seeks undergraduate researchers in psychology. He has served as Editor of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and currently edits English submissions for the Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis. His service extends to leadership as past President of ABAI, APA Division 25, SABA, and other major organizations. He has conducted research and taught internationally, including as a Fulbright Research Scholar in France.
He is affiliated with several research and editorial teams and has contributed to special journal issues and books, including an APA memorial tribute to B. F. Skinner.
