Ogden Lindsley

Ogden R. Lindsley

Birth date	1922-08-11
Birth place	Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	October 10, 2004(2004-10-10) (aged 82)
Nationality	American
Known for	Precision Teaching, Behavior analysis

Ogden R. Lindsley (August 11, 1922 – October 10, 2004) was an influential American psychologist and a pioneer in the field of behavior analysis. He is best known for developing the teaching method known as Precision Teaching, which utilizes a precise and systematic approach to measuring student performance.

Biography

Ogden Lindsley was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University. He later pursued graduate studies at Harvard University, where he was mentored by renowned psychologist B.F. Skinner. Under Skinner's guidance, Lindsley focused on the experimental analysis of behavior, particularly in the context of human behavior.

After completing his Ph.D., Lindsley held positions at Harvard University and later at the University of Kansas. At Kansas, he continued his research and development in the field of behavior analysis and was instrumental in establishing the university's human behavior laboratory.

Contributions to Psychology

Lindsley's most notable contribution to psychology is the development of Precision Teaching. This method involves using a "Standard Celeration Chart" to track and analyze student performance over time, allowing educators to monitor progress and make data-driven decisions about instructional strategies. Precision Teaching emphasizes the importance of measurable outcomes and has been applied in various educational and clinical settings.

In addition to Precision Teaching, Lindsley's work in the broader field of behavior analysis has had a lasting impact, particularly in the areas of behavioral measurement and the application of behavioral principles in educational settings.

Legacy

Ogden Lindsley's contributions to psychology have left a lasting legacy in the fields of education and behavior analysis. His work continues to influence educators and clinicians who use the principles of behavior analysis to improve educational outcomes and behavioral interventions.

See also

• Behavior modification
• Educational psychology
• Experimental analysis of behavior

Further reading

• Articles and texts by Ogden Lindsley on Precision Teaching and behavior analysis.

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