Dr. Michael Clayton is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Jacksonville State University, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Director of the Center for Applied Behavior Analysis there. His grant will be used to support the development of a Mandarin translation of B. F. Skinner's Technology of Teaching. Based on his time living and teaching in China, he feels that a behavior analytic approach to teaching and classroom management would be enthusiastically received. Further, behavior analysis in general fits well with cultural and educational goals in China. The education system emphasizes a pragmatic, natural science approach to problems, and, most importantly, is highly motivated and amenable to data-based methodologies.
Much of the impetus for this project came from discussions with Stephen Ledoux and the late Glenn Latham. It was while staying at Dr. Latham's home over the 1996 TIBA conference that Dr. Clayton became convinced of the potential for behavior analysis in China. Latham (1998) and Stephen Ledoux (1997) have both written about the extensive opportunities for a natural science approach to psychology in the People’s Republic of China.
Dr. Clayton will spend August of 2002 in China conducting a lecture series at Sichuan University. During that time he will also recruit and coordinate a group of English-speaking students to aid with translation of Skinner's text. Qian Jiang will serve as the head translator for the project. Qian and Dr. Clayton will provide final confirmation that the end product is of high quality, both in terms of accuracy and content. Dr. Clayton has received provisional approval for the translation from the B. F. Skinner Foundation with final approval contingent upon receipt of an acceptable translation of a portion of the text.
The opportunity to facilitate access to Skinner's writings and behavior analytic approaches to personal, educational, and social issues in China has been a long-term goal of Dr. Clayton's. He considers this project a first step toward greater involvement in Chinese psychology for years to come.
References
Latham, G. I. (1998). China through the eyes of a behaviorologist. TIBI News Time, 1 (1), 4-7.
Ledoux, S. F. (1997). Behaviorology in China: A status report. In S. F. Ledoux. Origins and Components of Behaviorology (pp. 187-198). Canton, NY: ABCs.
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