PLOTTING AND ANALYZING CUMULATIVE RESPONSE CURVES IN OPERANT CONDITIONING STUDIES

Because the response and time scales used in plotting cumulative response curves are often poorly selected, ineffective displays often result. The visual cue of a response rate change is the difference, [Formula: see text] between the angles, theta(1) and theta(2), representing the two rates, R(1) and R(2). These variables are related by: [Formula: see text] For a given rate change, the value of theta(1), namely, (M)theta(1), that yields the maximum value of [Formula: see text] namely, [Formula: see text] is given by (M)theta(1)=arc sin [Formula: see text] Ideally, the initial response rate should be represented by the (M)theta(1) appropriate for a given rate change. Because of practical considerations, however, some compromises with the ideal are allowable. Included in the discussion are (a) steps required to select appropriate response and time scales, with examples, and (b) guideposts for evaluating rate changes by means of angular changes.