Murray Sidman and Patient H. M.: The role of behavior analysis in the emergence of collaborative modern neuroscience

J Exp Anal Behav. 2021 Jan;115(1):242-254. doi: 10.1002/jeab.656. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Abstract

The intersection of the lives of 2 essential individuals in science, behavior analyst Murray Sidman (1923-2019), and Henry G. Molaison also known as Patient H.M. (1926-2008), warrants examination as it highlights the role of behavior analysis and other disciplines in the emergence of modern neuroscience and a collaborative approach to science. This paper describes the historical context and content of two publications by Sidman in which Molaison served as a research participant. The goal of the present paper is to emphasize this little-known facet of Sidman's rich career and to highlight the pioneering role of behavior analysis, and particularly the work of Murray Sidman, in the emergence of collaborative modern neuroscience.

Keywords: Henry G. Molaison; Murray Sidman; Patient HM; behavior analysis; delayed-matching-to-sample; modern neuroscience.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Neurosciences*