Adam Fox

I was born and raised in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. I earned a BS and a MA in psychology from Western Michigan University and a PhD in psychology (with a specialization in Behavior Analysis and Quantitative Analysis) from West Virginia University before coming to St. Lawrence. My research focuses broadly on the experimental analysis of human and non-human behavior--particularly as it relates to choice and time. I use quantitative methods and laboratory models to study the variables that control behavior in our complex world. Recently in my lab, we've been investigating learning and behavior in rat models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early life adversity, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of our research questions involve impulsivity, time perception, and decision making. I also enjoy spending time outdoors on the farm with my wife, our son Luther, and our animals. I am also an avid runner, triathlete, and I  play bass guitar in my wife's band.

I recently participated in a TEDx event at St. Lawrence University in which I outlined a way of thinking about problems of human behavior--one that is based in principles of behavioral determinism and Behavior Analysis. It is the theoretical view of behavior that undergirds all of my work. You can view my TEDx talk here. You can learn more about Behavior Analysis and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (mentioned in the talk) here.

Recent Publications (SLU students in bold):

Fox, A. E., Khatun, A., & Mooney, L. A. (2025). Pre-crastination: The potential role of trait impulsivity and physical effort. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. Online First. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0001348

Fox, A. E., Cooper, A. R., Pape, A. L., Tobias-Wallingford, H. M., & DeCoteau, W. E. (2025). Time perception and delay discounting in the FMR1 knockout rat. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 123, 108-116. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.4227

 Wilson, K. F., & Fox, A. E. (2024). Exercise recovers weight gain, but not increased impulsive choice, caused by a high-fat diet. Appetite, 203, 107668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107668

Fox, A. E. (2024). Immediate Reinforcement Training has Moderate Effect on Delay Discounting Behavior in Rats: A Systematic Replication. The Psychological Record. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-024-00597-x

Fox, A. E., Nicholson, A. M., Singha, D., Thieret, B. A. S., Ortiz, M., & Visser, E. J. (2023). Timing and delay discounting in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A translational approach. Developmental Psychobiology, 65, e22399. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.22399

Fox, A. E. (2022). Effects of immediate-reinforcement training on delay discounting behavior in rats. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.727

Poulin, C. J., & Fox, A. E. (2021). Preliminary evidence for timing abnormalities in the CNTNAP2 knockout rat. Behavioural Processes, 190, 104449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104449

DeCoteau, W. E., & Fox, A. E. (2021). Timing and intertemporal choice behavior in the valproic acid rat model of autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05129-y

Mungenast, H. K., & Fox, A. E. (2021). Impact of Light-Dark Phase on Delay Discounting Behavior in Rats. The Psychological Record.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-021-00462-1 

Recent Conference Presentations with Students (SLU students in bold):

Musterait, M. A., Minovi, S., Barmore, M, Faran, A, Aryal, S., & Fox, A. E. (May, 2025). Timing and impulsive choice in a female ADHD and PTSD rodent model. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for the Quantitative Analysis of Behavior, Washington, DC.

Morland, H., Minovi, S., & Fox, A. E. (May, 2025). Do rats pre-crastinate?: An application of cost associated task completion. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for the Quantitative Analysis of Behavior, Washington, DC.

Minovi, S., Morland, H., Mooney, L. A., Khatun, A., & Fox, A. E. (March, 2025). Pre-crastination: The potential role of trait impulsivity and physical effort. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, New York.

Musterait, M. A., Jan. S., Minovi, S., & Fox, A. E. (March, 2025). Timing in a female ADHD and PTSD rodent model. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, New York.

Thieret, B. A. S., Mooney, L. A.  & Fox, A. E. (May, 2024). Sooner and at an additional cost: Pre-crastination in Rats and Humans. Poster presented at the meeting of the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Philadelphia, PA.

Bibi, S., Thieret, B. A. S., Khatun, A., & Fox, A. E. (March, 2024). The impact of limited bedding on social-anxiety-related behavior in rats. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Minovi, S., Wilson, K. F., Glover, J., & Fox, A. E. (March, 2024). The impact of high-fat diet and exercise on impulsive choice in rats. Poster presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Fox, A. E., & *Thieret, B. A. S. (2024, March). Impulsive choice in the limited bedding and nesting paradigm.  In A. Fox (chair), Learning Papers: Choice. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA. *Presenting author

To find out more about recent and past research, you can visit my Researchgate and Google Scholar pages.

Updated August 2025