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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
08:30
Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
Published on: February 15, 2015
A review of reinforcement control procedures
Rachel H Thompson1, Brian A Iwata
1Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4001, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA. rthomps@ku.edu
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|July 22, 2005
Summary
To demonstrate reinforcement effects, researchers must compare response rates under specific conditions against control conditions that isolate extraneous variables. This study reviews and recommends control strategies for evaluating positive and negative reinforcement.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Experimental Design
Background:
- Evaluating reinforcement requires comparing behavior under a contingency with behavior under control conditions.
- Extraneous variables can confound the assessment of reinforcement effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe control conditions used in reinforcement research.
- To discuss the methodological rigor and utility of these control conditions.
- To provide recommendations for selecting appropriate control conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on control conditions in reinforcement studies.
- Analysis of methodological strengths and weaknesses of various control strategies.
- Discussion of practical applications in experimental settings.
Main Results:
- Several distinct control conditions are identified for reinforcement research.
- The rigor and utility of each control condition vary.
- Specific recommendations are made for optimizing experimental control.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate control conditions are essential for validly demonstrating reinforcement effects.
- Selection of control conditions should balance methodological rigor with practical feasibility.
- Standardized use of effective control conditions will enhance the reliability of behavioral research.
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