We frequently encounter problems for which we have no immediately available solution that will allow us to contact reinforcement or escape from an aversive situation. When this happens, we problem solve by prompting and probing our own behavior such that a solution to the problem becomes more likely. We have learned to problem solve by talking to ourselves, talking to others, looking around our environments, searching for answers online, posting questions in online forums, watching YouTube videos, using applications on our phones, and even re-arranging furniture. So much of our daily activity requires problem solving that we often take our ability to problem solve for granted. We might not even think about all the times during the day that we encounter problems that need to be solved because our problem-solving behavior has become so fluent. Problem solving is a learned behavior. Some people learn it incidentally, but others might require more explicit instruction. In this presentation I will define problem solving from a behavior analytic perspective, identify examples of problem solving that are common to everyday events, discuss problem-solving research, make some recommendations for future problem-solving research, and also share some suggestions for teaching problem solving in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to define problem solving from a behavior analytic perspective.
2. Participants will be able to identify types of problem situations commonly encountered by children, adolescents, and adults.\
3. Participants will be able to summarize prior research on teaching problem solving to a range of individuals.
4. Participants will be able to identify tactics for teaching problem solving to a range of individuals in their clinical practice.

About the Presenter

April N. Kisamore

Dr. Kisamore has been applying the principles of behavior to create meaningful change in the lives of children and adults with and without disabilities and their families over 15 years. She worked and trained at the Marcus Institute, received her M.A. in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University, and completed her Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis at Western New England University. She is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis at Hunter College. Dr. Kisamore is also a co-owner and Director at North Jersey Behavioral Health Services, a center designed to provide services to individuals with disabilities and their families. Dr. Kisamore has published in areas such as verbal behavior, problem solving, social skills, functional analysis, and parent training in books and several peer-reviewed journals and presented her work at local, national, and international conferences. She is currently Chair of the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group, on the editorial board for the Journal of Behavioral Education, has served as a guest associate editor for Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, and has served as a reviewer for several journals including Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, The Psychological Record, Education and Treatment of Children, and Learning and Behavior.