Dr. Makenzie Bayles

Associate Professor
205 Ayers Hall
(256) 782- 5809 
mbayles@jsu.edu

Dr. Bayles received her Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas in 2013 and began teaching at Jacksonville State University (Jax State) the same year. She is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology and Graduate Program Coordinator for Jax State’s M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Dr. Bayles is particularly interested in applied behavior analysis, early childhood development, and education. The majority of her research has focused on the use of behavior-analytic strategies for facilitating development and enhancing early childhood education, generalized conditioned reinforcers (e.g., praise), assessment and treatment of maladaptive behavior, clinical research to address the needs of individual clients, and various other applications of behavior analysis based on population needs and student interest.

Dr. Bayles is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst, and active member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis (ALABA), and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).

Makenzie Bayles

Courses Taught

  • PSY 222 Human Development
  • PSY 354 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PSY 364 Behavior-Change Procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PSY 528 Applied Behavior Analysis I
  • PSY 538 Ethics and Professional Development
  • PSY 544 Behavior Analysis in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • PSY 480/481 Community Practicum
  • PSY 485/486 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum
  • PSY 579/580/581 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum

Education

  • B.S. Jacksonville State University (Psychology), 2007 
  • M.S. Jacksonville State University (Psychology), 2009 
  • Ph.D. University of Kansas (Behavioral Psychology), 2013
  • Licensed Behavior Analyst, Alabama
  • Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Publications and Presentations

  • Senn, L. P., Bayles, M. W., &  Bruzek, J. L. (accepted as publication). An evaluation of praise as a reinforcer for preschoolers’ behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
  • Zonneveld, K. L. M., Neidert, P. L., Dozier, C. L., Gureghian, D. L., & Bayles, M. W. (2018). Assessing factors that influence young children’s food choices. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
  • Neidert, P. L., Rooker, G. W., Bayles, M., & Miller, J. (2013). Functional analysis of problem behavior. In D. D. Reed, F. D. Digennaro Reed, & J. K. Luiselli (Eds.), Handbook of crisis intervention for individuals with developmental disabilities (pp. 147-168). New York: Springer.
  • Bayles, M. W., Boutain, A. R., Ackerlund-Brandt, J. A., Call, N., Dracobly, J. D., Greer, B. D.,...Morris, E. K. (2012). On Critchfield's proposal: Student concerns and recommendations. The Behavior Analyst, 35, 127-131.
  • Bayles, M. W., Ford, M., & Bruzek, J. L. (2018, May). Using reinforcer assessments for validating preference assessment results and increasing engagement in adults with dementia. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Diego, CA. 
  • Ford, M., Bayles, M. W., Bruzek, J. L., Gaines, S. P., & Knight, A. (2016, October; 2017, May) An evaluation of preference assessment procedures for older adults with dementia. Poster presented at the meeting of the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis, Birmingham, AL. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Applied Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL. 
  • Gaines, S. P., Bruzek, J. L., Bayles, M. W., Ford, M., Panchuk, J. Knight, A., & Miles, A. (2017, May). Descriptive analysis with adults diagnosed with dementia in a memory care unit. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.
  • Posey, S., Bruzek, J. L., Bayles, M. W., & Ford, M. (2016, October) Use of A descriptive assessment methodology to identify contingencies for appropriate and inappropriate behavior in an assisted-living facility. Poster presented at the meeting of the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis, Birmingham, AL.
  • Senn, L. P., Bayles, M. W., Bruzek, J. L., Riley, A. (2015, October; 2016, May). An Evaluation of praise as a reinforcer for the behavior of young children.Poster presented at the meeting of the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis, Birmingham, AL. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Antonio, TX. 
  • Bayles, M. W., Neidert, P. L., Zonneveld, K. L. M. (2013, May) A component analysis of attention as a reinforcer for the behavior of young children. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Harrison, K. L., Zonneveld, K. L. M., Neidert, P. L., Gureghian, D. L., & Bayles, M. W. (2013, May) In vivo desensitivation and reinforcement to facilitate acquisition and generalization of compliance with essential-routine procedures. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Zonneveld, K. L. M., Neidert, P. L., & Bayles, M. W. (2013, May) Assessing dimensions of food reinforcers in children.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Bayles, M. W., Neidert, P. L. (2012, September). Assessment and treatment of feeding problems in early intervention classrooms. Paper presented at a professional seminar at the University of Kansas.
  • Bayles, M. W., Neidert, P. L., & Zonneveld, K. L. M. (2012, May). The use of attention as a reinforcer with young children. Poster presented at the annual meeting of Applied Behavior Analysis International, Seattle, WA.
  • Bayles, M. W., McKerchar, P. (2009, October; 2010, May). A comparison of general and descriptive praise with preschoolers. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Mid-American Association for Behavior Analysis, Davenport, IA. Poster presented at the annual meeting of Applied Behavior Analysis International, San Antonio, TX.

Other Responsibilities

  • Undergraduate Practicum Coordinator
  • Graduate Program Coordinator
  • Graduation Student Advisor
  • Graduate Practicum Coordinator