Karen Pryor is a behavioral biologist whose work combines the tools of both ethology and behaviorism. She started her research career in 1963, as a pioneer in the training of dolphins with operant conditioning. Pryor went on to become a major contributor to the growth of marine mammal science. She has served as a researcher and consultant on marine mammal issues to industry, a Principal Investigator for underwater at-sea dolphin studies for the National Marine Fisheries Service, and a Federal Commissioner on the Marine Mammal Commission, with oversight for all programs involving marine mammals in US waters. She is the author of numerous articles and book chapters, several popular books on training, a monograph on Pacific spotted dolphin behavior and social organization, and was senior editor and contributing author, with Kenneth S. Norris, of Dolphin Societies, a major anthology of open-ocean dolphin research (University of California Press, 1991).
In 1984 Pryor published Don’t Shoot the Dog, a text on positive reinforcement-based training. In response to the enthusiasm of dog trainers world-wide, Pryor formed an educational company to teach modern training to animal handlers, leading to changes in handling methods in much of the dog world and in zoos. She is currently a co-principal investigator in a study of application of her work to new ways to train medical students. In 2014 Pryor sold her company to her partners to devote her time to writing and research. Pryor continues to lecture at universities in the U.S. and abroad, and has keynoted many scientific conferences. Pryor has also been a frequent guest lecturer to students in the Animal Behavior and Conservation program at Hunter College. In association with Professors Sheila Chase, Diana Reiss, and Sonia Ragir, Pryor serves as a thesis and research advisor to Hunter graduate students interested in animal learning and behavior.
In 1984 Pryor published Don’t Shoot the Dog, a text on positive reinforcement-based training. In response to the enthusiasm of dog trainers world-wide, Pryor formed an educational company to teach modern training to animal handlers, leading to changes in handling methods in much of the dog world and in zoos. She is currently a co-principal investigator in a study of application of her work to new ways to train medical students. In 2014 Pryor sold her company to her partners to devote her time to writing and research. Pryor continues to lecture at universities in the U.S. and abroad, and has keynoted many scientific conferences. Pryor has also been a frequent guest lecturer to students in the Animal Behavior and Conservation program at Hunter College. In association with Professors Sheila Chase, Diana Reiss, and Sonia Ragir, Pryor serves as a thesis and research advisor to Hunter graduate students interested in animal learning and behavior.
