James Diller - Professor, Psychological Sciences

VIEW ALL FACULTY Spotlights

Dr. James Diller is an expert in the field of behavior analysis. He is credited with developing the concentration in behavior analysis at Eastern, which allows students to sit for national certification.

Dr. Diller’s research focuses on maladaptive choice, radical behaviorism and the training of behavior analysts. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from McDaniel College and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from West Virginia University. At Eastern, Dr. Diller coordinates the behavior analysis course sequence and the concentration in behavior analysis in the Psychology major.

In 2016, Dr. Diller was honored with the System Teaching Award by the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the governing entity of the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and University System.

Dr. Diller’s focus of study presents itself in his approach to teaching. “One of the tenants of radical behaviorism as it relates to education is that the learner is always right,” he said. “If your learner isn’t doing something that they should be, that’s something about the environment, something about the instruction, instead of necessarily a flaw with that person.”

He ensures student success through frequent assessment, providing immediate feedback and offering opportunities for remediation when students perform poorly. He engages them by asking questions and summoning participation through “choral responding,” the use of response cards and other creative tactics.

“The ability to mentor students is absolutely one of the best parts of my job,” said Dr. Diller, who values the undergraduate students who assist him on his research. “Many students underestimate what they can do. They’re not sure they are able to present at a conference or write a paper for publication, but they see they can do those things after working closely with a faculty mentor.”