Dougan, V. A. F., & Dougan, J. D. (1999).
The man who listens to behavior: Folk wisdom and behavior analysis from a real horse whisperer.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
72, 139-149.
The popular novel and movie The Horse Whisperer are based
on the work of several real-life horse whisperers, the most
famous of whom is Monty Roberts. Over the last 50 years, Roberts
has developed a technique for training horses that is both more
effective and less aversive than traditional training techniques.
An analysis of Roberts' methods (as described in his book, The
Man Who Listens to Horses) indicates a deep understanding of
behavioral principles including positive reinforcement, timeout,
species-specific defense reactions, "learned
helplessness," and the behavioral analysis of language.
Roberts developed his theory and techniques on the basis of
personal experience and folk wisdom, and not as the result of
formal training in behavior analysis. Behavior analysts can
clearly learn from such insightful yet "behaviorally
incorrect" practitioners, just as such practitioners can
benefit from the objective science of behavior analysts.
Key words: positive reinforcement, aversive control, learned
helplessness, language, biological constraints, animal training,
horses