My outreach and advocacy is grounded in what I will call, the Abramson-Staddon-Wagler model: a fusion of comparative psychology, empirical modern behaviorism and immersive science education.
I advocate for a return to psychology as a rigorous natural science, centered on observable behavior, evolutionary function, and hands-on discovery. Through public talks, classroom demonstrations, and accessible educational content (often featuring invertebrates like cockroaches), I work to make behavioral science engaging, practical, and meaningful—especially for those who value clarity, grounded reasoning, and intellectual honesty.
My advocacy focuses on:
- Defending psychology’s foundation in experimental observation and comparative analysis
- Promoting nontraditional model organisms (especially invertebrates) in science education and outreach
- Bringing behavioral principles into real-world conversations—around learning, adaptation, freedom, and incentive structures
- Promoting naturalistic narratives regarding behavior and its causes
- Critiquing historical perspectives in psychology, such as methodological behaviorism
- Critiquing modern trends in psychology that rely on vague mentalistic constructs, unfalsifiable narratives, ideological framing, or that de-emphasize functional and evolutionary explanations
- Encouraging open, thoughtful engagement with science across diverse perspectives
Whether in the classroom, the lab, or the community, I aim to revive curiosity, correct misconceptions, and show that behavioral psychology—grounded in evidence and function—offers powerful insights into both human and nonhuman behavior.
Ryan David Tuttle, M.A. 