Dr. Otto MacLin

Background in Behavior Modification:

I first became interested in Behavior Modification (Bmod) when I was a graduate student at the University of Nevada Reno. Although I was in the experimental program, Dr. Linda Hayes in the Behavior Analysis program needed someone to work in the lab writing computer programs and to teach the other grad students in her lab how to program their research projects.

It was interesting since I really didn't know anything about Behavior Analysis. I did have a few classes on Conditioning and Learning under my belt and I had conducted some research on artificial neural networks which are based on learning principles, but Behavior Analysis is a totally different area with a different take and even different language for their discipline.

My position in the lab allowed me to be involved on a variety of projects. I met some great people in the Behavior Analysis program at UNR, some of which I still collaborate with. In particular, we books about how to program using Visual Basic and research on gambling behavior.

Due to my direct experiences with behavior analysis, my perspective on behavior modification very much takes a behavior analytical perspective.

Research related to Behavior Modification:

MacLin, O. H., Dixon, M. A., & Jackson, J. A. (2007). Visual Basic 2005 for behavioral psychologists. Reno, NV: Context Press.

Daugherty, D., & MacLin, O. H. (2007). Perceptions of luck: Near win and near miss experience. Analysis of Gambling Behavior, 1, 123-132.

MacLin, O. H., Dixon, M. R., Daugherty, D., & Small, S. (2007). Using a computer simulation of three slot machines to investigate a gambler's preference among varying densities of near-miss alternatives. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 237-241.

MacLin, O. H., Dixon, M. R., Robinson, A., & Daugherty, D. (2006). Writing a simple slot machine simulation program (pp. 127-154). In P. M. Ghezzi, C. Lyons, M. Dixon, & G. Wilson (Eds.) Gambling: Behavior theory, research, and application.  Reno, NV: Context Press.  

Dixon, M. A., MacLin, O. H., & Daugherty, D. (2006). An evaluation of response allocations to concurrently available slot machine simulations. Behavior Research Methods 5, 232-236.

MacLin, O. H., & MacLin, M. K. (2005). Coding observational data: A software solution. Behavior Research Methods, 37(2), 224-231.

MacLin O. H., & Dixon, M. R. (2004). A computerized simulation for investigating gambling behavior during roulette play. Behavior Research Methods, 36, 96-100.

MacLin, O. H., Dixon, M. R., & Hayes, L. J. (1999). A computerized slot machine simulation to investigate the variables involved in gambling behavior. Behavior Research Methods, 31, 731-734.

Dixon, M. R., MacLin, O. H., & Hayes, L. J. (1999). Towards a molecular analysis of video poker play. Behavior Research Methods, 31, 185-187.

Dixon, M. A., & MacLin, O. H. (2003). Visual Basic for behavioral psychologists. Reno, NV: Context Press.