(REBROADCAST) Coercion and Its Fallout
Fri Feb 06 2026
ROB: I have behavior analysis and this book to thank for my growth as a human being and for helping me to understand how so many of the harms of the modern Republican party--a party I voted consistenly for until 2016--have led us to the cruel, fascistic situations we find ourselves here in American under the Trump administration. Yet despite the recent killings in Minnesota, some portion of U.S. citizens still consider Trump and his jackbooted thugs worth supporting. Hopefully at least all of our listeners are disgusted and outraged at the actions of the President. If not listen to our discussion of Murray Sidman's still timely "Coercion and Its Fallout". I don't think a person with any knowledge of the science of human behavior could read this important work and not be utterly apoplectic at the unethical garbage spewed by the White House and its staff. And, if you're already mad as hell about the state of America, you'll be DOUBLE-MAD!! But have more succinct words as to how things could and should be better.
If you missed this episode when we released it many years ago, now's a great time to hear it. And, if you've been with us since our episodes were still in double-digits, enjoy a revisit of the work that asks the very important question: Is it worth supporting systems that lionize the use of negative reinforcement and punishment at the exclusion of all else?
Our original post(s)
EPISODE 91: It's time for the 3rd Annual ABA Inside Track book club. This year we'll be discussing the late, great Murray Sidman's important social work Coercion and Its Fallout. Rob, Diana, and Jackie go on a deep dive through chapters 1-10 of the book including a discussion of rat behavior, societal shocks, and a laundry list of the crummy ways in which society treats itself.
EPISODE 92: How hot is our book club discussion of chapters 11-19 in Murray Sidman's Coercion and Its Fallout? So hot Rob had to edit out about 15 minutes of our takes! What's left goes into detailed descriptions of how many of the societal systems we take for granted are, in fact, coercive. And, of course, that there's got to be a better way (hint: positive reinforcement). Plus, Rob and Diana describe old Disney cartoons from the 40s while Jackie sings preschool songs. Truly, something for everyone.
This episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING CEUs.
Content discussed in this episode:
Sidman, M. (1989). Coercion and it's fallout. Boston, MA: Authors Cooperative, Inc.
If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.
Patrons at the $10 and up level, go to the original post to get 2 FREE CEUs.
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ROB: I have behavior analysis and this book to thank for my growth as a human being and for helping me to understand how so many of the harms of the modern Republican party--a party I voted consistenly for until 2016--have led us to the cruel, fascistic situations we find ourselves here in American under the Trump administration. Yet despite the recent killings in Minnesota, some portion of U.S. citizens still consider Trump and his jackbooted thugs worth supporting. Hopefully at least all of our listeners are disgusted and outraged at the actions of the President. If not listen to our discussion of Murray Sidman's still timely "Coercion and Its Fallout". I don't think a person with any knowledge of the science of human behavior could read this important work and not be utterly apoplectic at the unethical garbage spewed by the White House and its staff. And, if you're already mad as hell about the state of America, you'll be DOUBLE-MAD!! But have more succinct words as to how things could and should be better. If you missed this episode when we released it many years ago, now's a great time to hear it. And, if you've been with us since our episodes were still in double-digits, enjoy a revisit of the work that asks the very important question: Is it worth supporting systems that lionize the use of negative reinforcement and punishment at the exclusion of all else? Our original post(s) EPISODE 91: It's time for the 3rd Annual ABA Inside Track book club. This year we'll be discussing the late, great Murray Sidman's important social work Coercion and Its Fallout. Rob, Diana, and Jackie go on a deep dive through chapters 1-10 of the book including a discussion of rat behavior, societal shocks, and a laundry list of the crummy ways in which society treats itself. EPISODE 92: How hot is our book club discussion of chapters 11-19 in Murray Sidman's Coercion and Its Fallout? So hot Rob had to edit out about 15 minutes of our takes! What's left goes into detailed descriptions of how many of the societal systems we take for granted are, in fact, coercive. And, of course, that there's got to be a better way (hint: positive reinforcement). Plus, Rob and Diana describe old Disney cartoons from the 40s while Jackie sings preschool songs. Truly, something for everyone. This episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING CEUs. Content discussed in this episode: Sidman, M. (1989). Coercion and it's fallout. Boston, MA: Authors Cooperative, Inc. If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance. Patrons at the $10 and up level, go to the original post to get 2 FREE CEUs.