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Operant Psychology Makes a Splash—In Marine Mammal Training (1955–1965)
Author(s) -
Gillaspy James Arthur,
Brinegar Jennifer L.,
Bailey Robert E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the history of the behavioral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.216
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1520-6696
pISSN - 0022-5061
DOI - 10.1002/jhbs.21664
Subject(s) - operant conditioning , training (meteorology) , entertainment , marine life , marine mammal , animal behavior , psychology , cornerstone , ecology , geography , social psychology , archaeology , meteorology , visual arts , biology , reinforcement , zoology , art
Despite the wide spread use of operant conditioning within marine animal training, relatively little is known about this unique application of behavioral technology. This article explores the expansion of operant psychology to commercial marine animal training from 1955 to 1965, specifically at marine parks such as Marine Studios Florida, Marineland of the Pacific, Sea Life Park, and SeaWorld. The contributions of Keller and Marian Breland and their business Animal Behavior Enterprises (ABE) as well as other early practitioners of behavioral technology are reviewed. We also describe how operant technology was introduced and formalized into procedures that have become the cornerstone of marine animal training and entertainment. The rapid growth of the marine park industry during this time was closely linked to the spread of behavioral technology. The expansion of operant training methods within marine animal training is a unique success story of behavioral technology.