Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE
Published on: May 14, 2019
The role of elicited responding in behavioral contrast
Abstract:
An attempt was made to separate operant and elicited pecks occurring in multiple schedules of food reinforcement by moving the component stimuli to a second key, upon which pecks had no effect. The operant key stimulus was constant, regardless of the reinforcement schedule in effect. Experiments included two- and three-component multiple schedules and a comparison of the single-key and the two-key procedures. In general, conditions that typically produce positive contrast in single-key procedures reduced responding to the constant-stimulus key (induction) and increased responding to the component-stimulus key (contrast) in the two-key procedure. The results were interpreted as supporting the contention that two response classes, operant and elicited, are present in standard multiple schedules. In addition, elicited responses were strongly implicated in contrast phenomena.
Related Concept Videos
Behaviorism
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Classical Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov observed that dogs salivated...
Law of Effect
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle boxes...
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity

