Faculty Profile

Chris Varnon

Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Behavior Analysis
College
College of Health and Public Service

    

    

      


                          

            
Curriculum Vitae

            

              Click Here to View Faculty CV
            

          

        
                          

            
Education

            



  

  


  
PhD, Oklahoma State University, 2017. 
Major: Psychology
Degree Specialization: Experimental Psychology
MS, Oklahoma State University, 2013. 
Major: Psychology





          

        
                

          
Current Scheduled Teaching*


          
BEHV 2700.001, Behavior Principles II, Spring 2024 Syllabus
HLSC 6950.047, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2024 
BEHV 5140.001, Research Methods in Behavior Analysis, Spring 2024 Syllabus


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  


    

    

      


        


          


            
Previous Scheduled Teaching*


            
                    

                    BEHV 5140.001, Research Methods in Behavior Analysis, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT

          


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  

  
  	

	

	  

		

		   
Published Publications



  

  
Published Intellectual Contributions


  
Book
Varnon, C., Abramson, C. I. (2018). The propeller experiment controller: Automation for the comparative analysis of behavior in research and Teaching. Other. 39(1-2), 9-153. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85052969846
Book Chapter
Place, A. J., Varnon, C., David, C. P., Abramson, C. I. (2017). Exploratory investigations in operant thermoregulation in western diamond-backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). The Biology of Rattlesnakes II. ECO Herpetological Publishing and Distribution. 
Journal Article
Varnon, C., Barrera, E. I., Wilkes, I. N. (2022). Learning and memory in the orange head cockroach (Eublaberus posticus). PLOS One. 17(8 August), . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85136166032
Varnon, C., Adams, A. T. (2021). Habituation of the light-startle response of orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus): Effects of acclimation, stimulus duration, presence of food, and intertrial interval. Insects. 12(4), . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85105010508
Varnon, C., Vallely, N., Beheler, C., Coffin, C.  (2021). The disturbance leg-lift response (DLR): An undescribed behavior in bumble bees. PeerJ. 9, . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85103487928
Varnon, C., Dinges, C. W., Vest, A. J., Abramson, C. I. (2020). Conspecific and interspecific stimuli reduce initial performance in an aversive learning task in honey bees (Apis mellifera). PLOS One. 15(2), . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85080093518
Bergren, S., Latino, C. D., Varnon, C., Abramson, C. I. (2019). A Portable System for Detecting Infrasound Using a Microcontroller. International Journal of Comparative Psychology. 32, 1-15. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85099581993
Varnon, C., Dinges, C. W., Black, T. E., Wells, H., Abramson, C. I. (2018). Failure to Find Ethanol-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 42(7), 1260-1270. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85047489880
Varnon, C., Lang, H., Abramson, C. I. (2018). Automated research in comparative psychology: Limitations and new directions. International Journal of Comparative Psychology. 31, . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85052956748
Dinges, C. W., Varnon, C., Cota, L. D., Slykerman, S., Abramson, C. I. (2017). Studies of learned helplessness in honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica). Other. 43(2), 147-158. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85012157900
Craig, D. P., Varnon, C., Pollock, K. L., Abramson, C. I. (2015). An assessment of horse (Equus ferus caballus) responding on fixed interval schedules of reinforcement: An individual analysis. Other. 120, 1-13. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84940024943
Abramson, C. I., Craig, D. P., Varnon, C., Wells, H.  (2015). The effect of ethanol on reversal learning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica): Response inhibition in a social insect model. Alcohol. 49(3), 245-258. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84929295380
Craig, D. P., Varnon, C., Sokolowski, M. B., Wells, H., Abramson, C. I. (2014). An assessment of fixed interval timing in free-flying honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica): An analysis of individual performance. PLOS One. 9(7), . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84903748414
Dinges, C. W., Avalos, A., Abramson, C. I., Craig, D. P., Austin, Z. M., Varnon, C., Dal, F. N., Giray, T., Wells, H.  (2013). Aversive conditioning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica): A comparison of drones and workers. Journal of Experimental Biology. 216(21), 4124-4134. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84886506971
Varnon, C. A., Abramson, C. I. (2013). The propeller experiment controller: Low-cost  automation for classroom experiments in learning and behavior.. Comprehensive Psychology. 2, 1-18. 
Craig, D. P., Grice, J. W., Varnon, C., Gibson, B., Sokolowski, M. B., Abramson, C. I. (2012). Social Reinforcement Delays in Free-Flying Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). PLOS One. 7(10), . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84867132758
Varnon, C., Martin, A. L., Abramson, C. I. (2012). Conditioning methods for farm animals: A mini review. 2, 1-20. 
Abramson, C. I., Lay, A., Bowser, T. J., Varnon, C.  (2012). The use of silver vine (Actinidia polygama maxim, family actinidiaceae) as an enrichment aide for felines: Issues and prospects. Other. 7(1), 21-27. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84858140716



	
		
		
	  

	

	

  
    
	

	

	  

		

		   
Awarded Grants



  
  
  	  
          
Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research  

 	 
	 	 
  
Grant - Research   
Varnon, C. (Principal), "Cockroach Model of Alcoholism," Sponsored by South Carolina INBRE, State, $122185 Funded. (2019 – 2022).
Varnon, C., "“nvertebrate Models of Substance Abuse," Sponsored by South Carolina INBRE, State, $50000 Funded. (2017 – 2019).



	
		
		
	  

	

	

	
	

  
  
  

  	

		

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					Overall
Summative Rating		
					Challenge and
Engagement Index		
					Response Rate
					
				

			
			
				

					
					
out of 5		
					
out of 7		
					%
 of 
students responded		
					
					
				

			
		


		
    
			
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    
			This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
				
      
					
    • The course as a whole was
      • 
					
    • The course content was
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    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
      • 
					
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
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    • 
			
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    
			This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
				
      
					
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
      • 
					
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
      • 
					
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
      • 
					
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
      • 
					
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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