Email brent.alsop@otago.ac.nz
Tel 64 3 479 7615
Dr Brent Alsop has been an Associate Editor of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour. His current research interests include the effects of reward on choice and decision making in humans and animals, and he has authored numerous articles in these areas.
Brent completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology at the University of Auckland, receiving his PhD in 1989. He spent 2 years in Canada at Dalhousie University as a Killam Postdoctoral Scholar before coming to the University of Otago. He has 20 years of university teaching experience, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and over 25 years of research experience.
Teaching
- PSYC 111 Biological Bases of Behaviour
- PSYC 401 Behaviour Analysis
- PSYC 425 Advanced Topics in Behaviour Analysis
Research Interests
The effects of reward on choice and decision making in humans and animals.
Find out more about Dr Alsop's research interests
Publications
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Alves, H., Vorderstrasse, V., Carrasco, K. D., Chuang, C.-C., & Tripp, G. (2023). Disrupted waiting behavior in ADHD: Exploring the impact of reward availability and predictive cues. Child Neuropsychology, 29(1), 76-95. doi: 10.1080/09297049.2022.2068518
Hannula, C., Jimenez-Gomez, C., Wu, W., Brewer, A. T., Kodak, T., Gilroy, S. P., … Alsop, B., & Podlesnik, C. A. (2020). Quantifying errors of bias and discriminability in conditional-discrimination performance in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Learning & Motivation, 71, 101659. doi: 10.1016/j.lmot.2020.101659
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Shimabukuro, S., & Tripp, G. (2019). Is increased sensitivity to punishment a common characteristic of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder? An experimental study of response allocation in Japanese children. Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorders, 11, 433-443. doi: 10.1007/s12402-019-00307-6
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Caparelli-Dáquer, E. M., Casella, E. B., da Costa, R. Q. M., de Moura Queiroz, P., … Tripp, G. (2019). Behavioral adjustment to asymmetric reward availability among children with and without ADHD: Effects of past and current reinforcement contingencies. Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorders, 11, 149-158. doi: 10.1007/s12402-018-0265-x
Furukawa, E., Shimabukuro, S., Alsop, B., & Tripp, G. (2017). Behavioral sensitivity of Japanese children with and without ADHD to changing reinforcer availability: An experimental study using signal detection methodology. Behavioral & Brain Functions, 13, 13. doi: 10.1186/s12993-017-0131-6
Schaughency, E., Alsop, B., & Dawson, A. (2010). The school psychologist's role is assisting school staff in establishing systems to manage, understand, and use data. In G. G. Peacock, R. A. Ervin, E. J. Daly, III & K. W. Merrell (Eds.), Practical handbook of school psychology: Effective practices for the 21st century. (pp. 548-565). New York: Guilford Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Alves, H., Vorderstrasse, V., Carrasco, K. D., Chuang, C.-C., & Tripp, G. (2023). Disrupted waiting behavior in ADHD: Exploring the impact of reward availability and predictive cues. Child Neuropsychology, 29(1), 76-95. doi: 10.1080/09297049.2022.2068518
Journal - Research Article
Hannula, C., Jimenez-Gomez, C., Wu, W., Brewer, A. T., Kodak, T., Gilroy, S. P., … Alsop, B., & Podlesnik, C. A. (2020). Quantifying errors of bias and discriminability in conditional-discrimination performance in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Learning & Motivation, 71, 101659. doi: 10.1016/j.lmot.2020.101659
Journal - Research Article
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Caparelli-Dáquer, E. M., Casella, E. B., da Costa, R. Q. M., de Moura Queiroz, P., … Tripp, G. (2019). Behavioral adjustment to asymmetric reward availability among children with and without ADHD: Effects of past and current reinforcement contingencies. Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorders, 11, 149-158. doi: 10.1007/s12402-018-0265-x
Journal - Research Article
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Shimabukuro, S., & Tripp, G. (2019). Is increased sensitivity to punishment a common characteristic of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder? An experimental study of response allocation in Japanese children. Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorders, 11, 433-443. doi: 10.1007/s12402-019-00307-6
Journal - Research Article
Beeby, E., & Alsop, B. (2017). Choice among two and three alternatives. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 107(3), 369-387. doi: 10.1002/jeab.258
Journal - Research Article
Beeby, E., & Alsop, B. (2017). Choosing among multiple alternatives: Relative and overall reinforcer rates. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 108(2), 204-222. doi: 10.1002/jeab.269
Journal - Research Article
Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Sowerby, P., Jensen, S., & Tripp, G. (2017). Evidence for increased behavioral control by punishment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 58(3), 248-257. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12635
Journal - Research Article
Furukawa, E., Shimabukuro, S., Alsop, B., & Tripp, G. (2017). Behavioral sensitivity of Japanese children with and without ADHD to changing reinforcer availability: An experimental study using signal detection methodology. Behavioral & Brain Functions, 13, 13. doi: 10.1186/s12993-017-0131-6
Journal - Research Article
Alsop, B., Furukawa, E., Sowerby, P., Jensen, S., Moffat, C., & Tripp, G. (2016). Behavioral sensitivity to changing reinforcement contingencies in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 57(8), 947-956. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12561
Journal - Research Article
Furukawa, E., Bado, P., Tripp, G., Mattos, P., Wickens, J. R., Bramati, I. E., Alsop, B., … Moll, J. (2014). Abnormal striatal BOLD responses to reward anticipation and reward delivery in ADHD. PLoS ONE, 9(2), e89129. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089129
Journal - Research Article
Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Alsop, B. (2013). The dynamics of word retrieval in major depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47, 276-283. doi: 10.1177/0004867412465124
Journal - Research Article
Lie, C., Baxter, J., & Alsop, B. (2013). The effect of opponent type on human performance in a three-alternative choice task. Behavioural Processes, 99, 87-94. doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.07.005
Journal - Research Article
Lie, C., & Alsop, B. (2010). Stimulus disparity and punisher control of human signal-detection performance. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93(2), 185-201. doi: 10.1901/jeab.2010.93-185
Journal - Research Article
Lie, C., & Alsop, B. (2009). Effects of point-loss punishers on human signal-detection performance. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 92(1), 17-39. doi: 10.1901/jeab.2009.92-17
Journal - Research Article
Sutherland, K. R., Alsop, B., McNaughton, N., Hyland, B. I., Tripp, G., & Wickens, J. R. (2009). Sensitivity to delay of reinforcement in two animal models of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Behavioural Brain Research, 205(2), 372-376. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.07.011
Journal - Research Article
Alsop, B., & Jones, B. M. (2008). Reinforcer control by comparison-stimulus color and location in a delayed matching-to-sample task. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 89(3), 311-331.
Journal - Research Article
Alsop, B. (2007). Problems with spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as a model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 162, 42-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2006.12.002
Journal - Research Article
Crawford, M. A., Knight, R. G., & Alsop, B. L. (2007). Speed of word retrieval in postconcussion syndrome. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 13, 178-182. doi: 10.10170S135561770707021X
Journal - Research Article
Lie, C., & Alsop, B. (2007). Reinforcement and punishment in behavioral models of signal detection. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, 33, 45-55.
Journal - Research Article
Alsop, B., & Porritt, M. (2006). Discriminability and sensitivity to reinforcer magnitude in a detection task. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 85, 41-56. doi: 10.1901/jeab.2006.91-04
Journal - Research Article
Gallagher, S., & Alsop, B. L. (2001). Effects of responce disparity on stimulus and reinforcer control in human detection tasks. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 75(2), 183-203.
Journal - Research Article
Tripp, G., & Alsop, B. (2001). Sensitivity to reward delay in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 42(5), 691-698.
Journal - Research Article
Johnstone, V., & Alsop, B. L. (2000). Reinforcer control and human signal-detection performance. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 73, 275-290.
Journal - Research Article
Johnstone, V., & Alsop, B. L. (1999). Stimulus presentation ratios and the outcomes for correct responses in signal-detection procedures. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 72, 1-20.
Journal - Research Article
Tripp, G., & Alsop, B. (1999). Age-related changes in sensitivity to relative reward frequency. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 28(1), 30-36.
Journal - Research Article
Tripp, G., & Alsop, B. (1999). Sensitivity to reward frequency in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 28(3), 366-375.
Journal - Research Article
Alsop, B. (1998). Receiver operating characteristics from non-human animals: Some implications and directions for research with humans. Psychonomic Science, 5(2), 239-252.
Journal - Research Article
Colombo, M., Swain, N. R., Harper, D., & Alsop, B. (1997). The effects of hippocampal and area parahippocampalis lesions in pigeons I: Delayed matching to sample. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section B, 50(2), 149-171.
Journal - Research Article
Alsop, B. L., & Rowley, R. (1996). Types of responding in a signal-detection task. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 65, 561-574.
Journal - Research Article
Elliffe, D., & Alsop, B. L. (1996). Concurrent choice: effects of overall reinforcer rate and the temporal distribution of reinforcers. Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 65, 445-463.
Journal - Research Article
Johnstone, V., & Alsop, B. L. (1996). Human signal-detection performance: effects of signal presentation probabilities and reinforcer distributions. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 66, 243-263.
Journal - Research Article
Jones, B. M., White, K., & Alsop, B. L. (1995). On two effects of signaling the consequences for remembering. Animal Learning & Behavior, 23(3), 256-272.
Journal - Research Article
Beeby, E., & Alsop, B. (2014). Are pigeons' choices affected by the number of alternatives available? Proceedings of the Psycolloquy Seminar. (pp. 14). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology/research/otago059081.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lie, C., Alsop, B., & Goh, R. (2013). Human performance in a five-alternative choice task. Proceedings of the 10th Annual New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis (NZABA) Conference. (pp. 6). Retrieved from https://nzaba.org
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Everdon, R., Leland, L. S., & Alsop, B. (2012). Behaviour based safety reduces risk for NZ truck drivers. Injury Prevention, 18(Suppl. 1), (pp. A157). doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590m.9
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lie, C., Alsop, B., Roker, J., & Baxter, J. (2012). Decision making in a three choice game. Proceedings of the New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis (NZABA) Annual Conference. Retrieved from https://nzaba.org
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Alsop, B. L. (2011). Patterns of responding in a three-alternative concurrent schedule. Proceedings of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) 37th Annual Conference. Retrieved from http://www.abainternational.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Alsop, B. L. (2010). Effects of feedback on repeat observations in a detection task. Proceedings of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) 36th Annual Conference. Retrieved from http://www.abainternational.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Everdon, R., Leland, Jr, L., & Alsop, B. (2010). A behaviour based safety strategy for New Zealand truck drivers: An ongoing programme. Proceedings of the International Conference on Commercial Driver Health and Wellness. Retrieved from http://pressamp.trb.org/conferences/programs/program.asp?event=562
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Furukawa, E., McAlpine, C., Alsop, B., Ito, K., & Tripp, G. (2010). Cultural contributions to reinforcement sensitivity. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(Suppl. 1), (pp. S51). doi: 10.1007/s00787-010-0117-5
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Jensen, S., McAlpine, C., & Alsop, B. (2010). Reward sensitivity and choice behaviour of children with ADHD. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(Suppl. 1), (pp. S79-S80). doi: 10.1007/s00787-010-0117-5
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lie, C., Jack, F., Healey, D., Murachver, T., & Alsop, B. (2010). Forward versus backward classical conditioning: A laboratory demonstration. Proceedings of the New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis Annual Conference. NZABA. Retrieved from http://nzaba.org/previous-conferences/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sowerby, P., Seal, S., Alsop, B., & Tripp, G. (2010). Impaired working memory in ADHD: Deficit or delay? European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(Suppl. 1), (pp. S66). doi: 10.1007/s00787-010-0117-5
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Alsop, B. L., & Leland, Jr, L. S. (2009). Keep your britches out of the ditches: Behavior-based safety for New Zealand truck drivers. Proceedings of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) 35th Annual Conference. Retrieved from http://portal.abainternational.org/Public/ProgramOnTheWeb/frmProgram.aspx?intConvID=3
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lie, C., & Alsop, B. (2009). Effects of punishment on choice in a concurrent schedule gambling task. Proceedings of the New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis 6th Annual Conference. (pp. 8). NZABA. Retrieved from http://nzaba.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/nzaba_info_and_prgm2.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Tripp, E. G., & Alsop, B. L. (1998). Age-related changes in human's sensitivity to reward frequency. International Journal of Neuroscience, 94(1-2), (pp. 117). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Furukawa, E., Bado, P., Tripp, G., Mattos, P., Wickens, J., Bramati, I. E., Alsop, B., … Moll, J. (2011, November). Reward sensitivity in ADHS: Exploring distinctive effects of reward cues and outcomes of functional fMRI. Poster session presented at the International Neuroethics Society Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Sowerby, P., Seal, S., Alsop, B., & Tripp, G. (2008, October). Working memory in ADHD: What roles do age and measurement play? Poster session presented at the 19th Eunethydis Meeting, Mannheim, Germany.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
McEachen, B., Tripp, G., Alsop, B., & Sowerby, P. (2005, November). Reward sensitivity in ADHD: A putative model. Poster session presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 39th Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)