Learn how to use a constructional framework to help your students and clients achieve success.
Whether you work with humans or animals, Constructional Teaching will give you ways to solve problems by focusing on the solution, not the problem.
You will learn the basic framework of the constructional approach, how it contrasts with the pathological approach, and how it can be used to analyze and solve a variety of problems. Case studies and examples will help you understand how to use constructional teaching when designing and implementing behavior change programs.
Course structure
Virtual sessions: Join us on April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, and May 8.
Each session will be held on a Thursday afternoon from 1:30–3:30 pm Central Time.
In these sessions, we will cover essential concepts and case studies, and also have time for questions.
Course platform & recordings: Can’t join us live? You’ll be able to access a recording of each session in the course platform.
You’ll have access to additional activities, handouts, and resources in the course platform. You will also be able to ask questions in the course platform.
You will have access to the course platform and recordings until December 31, 2025.
Course pricing:
Early registration (before March 20): $275
Regular registration: $325
Student/scholarship registration: $150
A limited number of reduced-price registrations are available. These registrations are for students or for other participants with financial need. Please contact us.
Continuing education credits (CEUs)
IAABC – 10 CEU credits
CCPDT – 10 CEUs for Behavior Consultants (CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA)
KPA – 10 CEU credits
IATCB – 10 CEU credits
BCBAs – 2 CEU credits will be available for BCBAs for Session 5.
CEU quizzes must be completed by July 31, 2025.
Course instructor
Mary Hunter, M.S. earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas. Mary’s business, Behavior Explorer, offers educational courses and programs for individuals interested in the science of behavior. In addition, she teaches as an adjunct instructor in the behavior analysis department at the University of North Texas. In 2019, Mary and Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz published their first book, PORTL: The Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab.
Mary’s research interests include studying the process of shaping and finding better ways to teach people and animals. Her master’s thesis, which examined the effects of a single reinforcer during shaping, was published in 2019 in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. She is a full member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and has presented her research at the organization’s annual convention.
What will you learn in this course?
Session 1: What does it mean to be constructional?
This session will introduce you to the idea of constructional teaching. We will talk about constructional versus pathological orientations and look at several case studies. We’ll also take a closer look at the first question of constructional teaching, “Where are you going?”
Session 1: Learning Objectives
After this session, you should be able to:
- Explain the difference between constructional versus pathological
- Give examples of pathological and constructional solutions
- Use the Martian question to identify an individual’s ideal outcomes
- Use a daily log to identify situations to keep and areas for improvement
Session 2: What is going to maintain the behavior?
In this session, we’ll look more closely at the topic of reinforcers. How do we know what reinforcers are important to our learners? How can we use these reinforcers effectively during teaching? And, what do emotions have to do with reinforcement?
Session 2: Learning Objectives
After this session, you should be able to:
- Use an example to explain how “Behavior makes sense”
- Describe how to identify potential reinforcers for an individual
- Discuss how the same behavior may be maintained by different reinforcers
- Explain why punishment and extinction should be avoided during teaching
- Give examples of how positive reinforcement can be misused
Session 3: What is your starting point for teaching?
To change behavior, we often start by focusing on what is wrong or what is lacking. Instead, we can begin teaching by focusing on what behaviors an individual can do now. We will look more closely at the differences between these two approaches and their implications.
Session 3: Learning Objectives
After this session, you should be able to:
- Explain what is meant by the phrase, “Don’t fight extinction!”
- Contrast how the question “Where are you now?” is generally answered from a constructional versus a pathological perspective
- Explain what is meant by the idea, “Behavior multiplies”
- Discuss how to use the idea of movement cycles (not outcomes) when picking starting points
Session 4: How will you get from here to there?
In this session, we will look more closely at behavior change programs. We will examine different ways to change behavior, including shaping, transfer, fading, and reinstatement. We’ll also discuss how to use a components approach when shaping new behaviors.
Session 4: Learning Objectives
After this session, you should be able to:
- Give examples of shaping, transfer, reinstatement, and fading
- Contrast how the question “How are you going to get there?” is generally answered from a constructional versus a pathological perspective
- Explain what is meant by the phrase, “The rat is always right.”
- Use a data sheet to track progress during a behavior change program
Session 5: Case studies and Q & A
In our final session, we will look at additional case studies with both human and animal learners. These examples will illustrate how constructional training can be applied to a wide range of situations. We will also have additional time during this session for questions and discussion.
Special guest: We will be joined by Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz for this final session.
Session 5: Learning Objectives
After this session, you should be able to:
- Given a problem, propose a solution that includes a constructional answer for each of the four questions of the constructional approach.
Frequently asked questions
I’m really interested, but I’m not sure if this course is for me. How can I learn more?
Please contact us with your questions!
We would be happy to talk to you about whether this course would be a good fit for you.
What is your refund policy?
A complete refund (less a $50 processing fee) will be available if requested on or before April 2, 2025. No refunds will be available after this date.