Donald M. Baer
| Donald M. Baer | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 25, 1931 St. Louis, Missouri |
| Died | April 28, 2002 Lawrence, Kansas |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | Psychology |
| Institutions |
University of Kansas, University of Washington |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Known for | Behavior analysis, Operant conditioning, Applied behavior analysis, Behavior analysis of child development |
Donald M. Baer was a psychologist who contributed to the applied behavior analysis movement and pioneered the development of behavior analysis at two separate institutions. Dr. Baer is best known for his contributions at the University of Kansas. Throughout his career, he published over two hundred articles, books, and chapters on various psychological issues. Some of his most noteworthy contributions include literature on behavior-analytic theory, experimental design, and early childhood interventions. Dr. Baer received numerous awards during his lifetime which acknowledged his innovation and dedication to his field of research.
Donald M. Baer was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 25, 1931. His family later moved to Chicago, Illinois. Baer attended the University of Chicago and received his doctoral degree in 1957 under the direction of Jacob L. Gewirtz (Poulson, 2002). After graduation, Baer began working with Sidney W. Bijou at the University of Washington. Dr. Baer was soon offered a faculty position at the University of Kansas where he remained until his death on April 28, 2002. He is survived by his wife Elsie Pinkston and his three daughters.
Collectively, Baer and Bijou established the behavior analysis approach to child development at the University of Washington (Anonymous, 2002). From 1957 to 1965, Baer and Bijou conducted an array of research on the effects of reinforcement contingencies on children (Anonymous, 2002). An influential paper titled "Effect of withdrawal of positive reinforcement on an extinguishing response in young children" was written during this time (Baer, 1961). This research article established the effectiveness of "withdrawal of positive reinforcement" as a means of reducing behavior(Baer, 1961., p. 1).
While at the University of Washington, Baer made another noteworthy research paper on the escape and avoidance behaviors of preschool children (Baer, 1960). Unfortunately, Baer and his research associates became involved in a "typical Psychology civil war" at the University of Washington (Baer, 1993., pp. 570). The war stemmed from the administration's "intolerance of Skinnerian perspectives and the rejection of research using single-subject designs." (Horowitz, 2002., pp. 313). Seeking a university environment more welcoming of behavior analysis, Don Baer found his way to the newly formed Human Development and Family Life Department at the University of Kansas.
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