Adam Fox

I was born and raised in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. I earned a BS and a MA in psychology from Western Michigan University and a PhD in psychology (with a specialization in Behavior Analysis) from West Virginia University before coming to St. Lawrence. My research focuses broadly on the experimental analysis of human and non-human behavior--particularly as it relates to choice and time. I use quantitative methods and laboratory models to study the variables that control behavior in our complex world. Recently in my lab, we've been investigating learning and behavior in rat models of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I am also interested in using behavior analytic principles to improve the relationships humans have with domesticated animals (applied animal behavior research)-especially horses. I enjoy spending time outdoors on the farm with my wife, our son, Luther, and our animals. I am also an avid runner, and I  play bass guitar in my wife's band.

I recently participated in a TEDx event at St. Lawrence University in which I outlined a new way of thinking about problems of human behavior--one that is based in principles of behavioral determinism and Behavior Analysis. It is the theoretical view of behavior that undergirds all of my work. You can view my TEDx talk here. You can learn more about Behavior Analysis and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (mentioned in the talk) here.

Recent Publications (SLU students in bold):

DeCoteau, W. E., & Fox, A. E. (2021). Timing and intertemporal choice behavior in the valproic acid rat model of autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05129-y

Mungenast, H. K., & Fox, A. E. (2021). Impact of Light-Dark Phase on Delay Discounting Behavior in Rats. The Psychological Record.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-021-00462-1 

Fox, A. E., Buchanan, I. Roussard, Q., Hurley, K., Thalheim, I., & Joyce, J. M. (2019). Using delays to decrease paper consumption in food service and laboratory settings. The Psychological Record, 69, 215-223.

Fox, A. E., Visser, E. J., & Nicholson, A. M. (2019).  Interventions aimed at changing impulsive choice in rats: Effects of immediate and relatively long delay to reward training. Behavioural Processes, 158, 126-136.

Fox, A. E. (2018). The future is upon us. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 18, 144-150.

Fox, A. E., & Kyonka, E. G. E. (2017). Searching for the variables that control human rule-governed "insensitivity." Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 108, 236-254.

Fox, A. E., Caramia, S. R., Haskell, M. M., Ramey, A. L., & Singha, D. (2017). Stimulus control in two rodent models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Behavioural Processes, 135, 16-24.

Recent Presentations with Students (SLU students in bold):

DeCoteau, W. E., Ladison, J., & Fox, A. E. (2021, February). Timing and intertemporal choice behavior in the valproic acid rat model of autism spectrum disorder. Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Autism Conference, Virtual—COVID19.

DeCoteau, W. E., Ladison, J., Donohue, L., Golden, E., Gulbicki, L., & Fox, A. E. (2021, January). Effect of hippocampus lesions on temporal discrimination learning and maintenance. Poster presented at the Society for Neuroscience Global Connectome Abstracts, Virtual—COVID19.

Martinez-Perez, C., Mugneast, H. K., Ortiz, M., Westfall, L., Loyst, R., DeBritz, A., Higgins, C., & Fox, A. E. (2020, June). Decreasing impulsivity in rats and humans: Effects of acute delay exposure. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Virtual—COVID19.

Mungenast, H. K., Martinez-Perez, C., Westfall, L., Ortiz, M., & Fox, A .E. (2020, June). Effects of light-dark cycle phase on impulsivity and anxiety-like behavior in rats. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Virtual—COVID19.

DeBritz, A., Martinez-Perez, C., Mugenast, H. K., & Fox, A. E. (2020, May). Does immediate-reward training increase impulsive choice? A test with naïve male and female rats. Poster presentated at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Virtual—COVID19.

Loyst, R. A., Mungenast, H. K., Poulin, C. J., & Fox, A. E. (2019, May). Immediate-reward training increases impulsive choice in experienced Lewis rats. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL.

Poulin, C. J., Rogers, M., Mungenast, H. K., Loyst, R. A.,Currie, P. M., McQuain, C. K., & Fox, A. E. (2019, May). Timing and impulsive choice in the CNTNAP2 Knockout Rat Model. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for the Quantitative Analyses of Behavior, Chicago, IL.

Currie, P. M., Poulin, C. J., Rogers, M., McQuain, C. K., Mungenast, H. K., Loyst, R. A., & Fox, A. E. (2019, March). Predator-scent stress model of PTSD exhibits paradoxical anxiolysis and enhanced extinction learning. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.

Poulin, C. J., Currie, P. M., Rogers, M., McQuain, C. K., Loyst, R. A., Mungenast, H. K., Ayala, A., & Fox, A. E. (2019, March). Behavioral abnormalities in the CNTNAP2 model of autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.

To find out more about recent and past research, you can visit my Researchgate and Google Scholar pages.

Updated: March, 2021