Dr. Sparks joins Kyle and Chad to explore one of the most fascinating topics in human behavior: invention, ingenuity, and genius. Are these forms of creativity the result of innate talent, or can they be explained through environmental contingencies, reinforcement histories, problem-solving under multiple control, and complex combinations of both physiological and operant conditions?

In this episode, we unpack how behavior analysis sheds light on the science of creativity—how shaping, variability, and exposure to novel situations can lead to breakthroughs that change the world. We dive into:

• How reinforcement and stimulus control contribute to “genius” behavior
• Why problem-solving can be analyzed as a behavioral process
• The role of shaping, generalization and differential reinforcement in producing novel responses
• How environments rich in opportunity and feedback increase the likelihood of innovation

Whether you’re curious about creativity, behavioral psychology, or the science of human potential, this discussion connects behavior analysis to the everyday question: where does genius come from?