Choice & Control: Are We Really Empowering Learners or Just Using Sexy Buzz Words?
Are we truly giving the learner a seat at the table? Lets explore beyond the fluff ...
Course Information
Choice and Control What We Say What We Mean and What Is Actually Controlling Behaviour We talk about choice and control all the time in behaviour, training, and welfare. We say we are giving learners more choice. We aim to reduce control. We design what we call choice based training environments. But what are we actually referring to? In this webinar, I take a step back and look at choice and control through a functional, behaviour analytic lens. Rather than treating them as explanations, I analyse them as patterns of behaviour and environmental relations. These are things we can observe, measure, and arrange. Using the four term contingency MO SD R C as our anchor, I will unpack what is actually happening when organisms choose, and what it really means for behaviour to be under control.
What you will learn:
• How to reframe choice as the allocation of behaviour across competing alternatives influenced by motivating operations and reinforcement histories
• How to analyse control as the functional relation between behaviour and environmental variables
• Where our language starts to drift into non functional or circular explanations such as they chose to or they are in control
• How to evaluate common practices such as choice based training, start buttons, and consent procedures in terms of what they actually do
• How to distinguish between topography and function when interpreting behaviour and training outcomes
• How to design environments more effectively so you increase meaningful behavioural options while reducing reliance on aversive control
Why this matters: When we use terms like choice and control loosely, we often hide the very variables we need to understand. This can lead to misidentifying what is maintaining behaviour, overestimating learner agency, or implementing procedures that look good but do not function well. When we bring these terms back to a functional framework, we get clarity, precision, and more reliable outcomes.
Who this is for: This webinar is for behaviour analysts, animal trainers working across species, and anyone interested in behaviour, learning, and training design who wants to use the language of choice and control more precisely.
What you will walk away with:
• A clear functional understanding of choice and control •
A practical framework MO SD R C that you can apply immediately
• Tools to analyse your own training and teaching environments
• More confidence in explaining behaviour without relying on vague or mentalistic language
Choice is not an explanation. Control is not something we remove. Both are products of contingencies.
Ceus & Certificates: No CEUs are available currently but this may change and will be updated if it does. A certificate of attendance will be available.
Terms & Conditions Each ticket admits one person only. By registering, you agree not to share these materials or access with others. Full refunds minus a £15 admin fee available up to 24 hours prior to the start of the first live webinar, no refunds after this.
Course Curriculum
