Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Quantitative Analysis01:12

Quantitative Analysis

Quantitative analysis is a technique for measuring the amount of specific constituents in a sample. When the sample's composition is unknown, qualitative analysis is performed first to identify its components, which ensures that the correct substances are measured during the quantitative phase.
In quantitative analysis, two key measurements are made: the sample quantity and a property proportional to the amount of the analyte (the substance being analyzed). This forms the basis of the method...
Data Collection by Observations01:08

Data Collection by Observations

Data collection refers to a systematic way of obtaining, observing, measuring, and analyzing accurate information. Observational studies are one of the most widely used methods of data collection. It involves collecting data by observing the behavior and physical characteristics of a sample without making any modifications to the sample.
An astronomer viewing the motion and brightness of stars in the sky and recording the data is an example of observational data collection. A botanist recording...
Qualitative Analysis03:46

Qualitative Analysis

For solutions containing mixtures of different cations, the identity of each cation can be determined by qualitative analysis. This technique involves a series of selective precipitations with different chemical reagents, each reaction producing a characteristic precipitate for a specific group of cations. Metal ions within a group are further separated by varying the pH, heating the mixture to redissolve a precipitate, or adding other reagents to form complex ions.
For instance, group IV...
Qualitative Analysis01:10

Qualitative Analysis

Qualitative analysis is the process of identifying elements, ions, or compounds in an unknown sample. It is the first and most fundamental type of analysis based on the hierarchy of analytical goals. This hierarchy is significant as it provides a structured approach to scientific research, with qualitative analysis serving as the initial step, providing essential information before moving on to quantitative or other forms of analysis.
There are two main approaches to qualitative analysis:...
Observational Studies01:11

Observational Studies

Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Latency and persistence of renewal in an intensive outpatient clinic.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

Recommendations and guidance for enhancing systematic reviews of single-case experimental design research.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

Additivity of resurgence and spontaneous recovery.

Learning & behavior·2026
Same author

Renewal of challenging behavior in an intensive outpatient clinic: Replication and extension to task changes.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

Multiple-context training mitigates renewal during differential reinforcement.

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior·2026
Same author

Contingency discrimination training and resurgence: Effects of reduced extinction session durations.

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments
13:00

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments

Published on: January 23, 2017

Quantitative analyses of observing and attending.

Timothy A Shahan1, Christopher A Podlesnik

  • 1Department of Psychology, Utah State University, 2810 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, United States. Tim.Shahan@usu.edu

Behavioural Processes
|February 29, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Simple operant behavior models explain attention. Primary reinforcement, not conditioned stimuli, drives attention persistence. This suggests conditioned reinforcers may work differently than previously thought.

More Related Videos

A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
09:47

A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking

Published on: July 9, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments
13:00

Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments

Published on: January 23, 2017

A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
09:47

A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking

Published on: July 9, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral psychology
  • Cognitive science
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Operant behavior models are widely used to study reinforcement and behavior allocation.
  • Attentional processes are complex and their underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • Conditioned reinforcement is a key concept in understanding how stimuli gain reinforcing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the applicability of operant behavior models to attentional processes.
  • To examine the factors influencing the allocation and persistence of attending.
  • To explore the role of primary versus conditioned reinforcement in maintaining attention.

Main Methods:

  • Experiments using pigeons' observing responses as an analog for attention.
  • Analysis of response rates and allocation using the matching law.
  • Assessment of resistance to change using behavioral momentum theory.
  • Examination of divided-attention tasks with compound stimuli.

Main Results:

  • Observing response rates and allocation aligned with the matching law based on food or S+ delivery rates.
  • Behavioral momentum theory accurately described resistance to change only when primary reinforcement rates were considered.
  • Primary reinforcement rates, not conditioned stimulus properties, governed attention persistence.
  • The generalized matching law effectively modeled attention allocation in divided-attention tasks.

Conclusions:

  • Attention persistence is primarily governed by primary reinforcement rates in the training context, not conditioned reinforcement.
  • Conditioned reinforcers might influence response rates through mechanisms other than simple response-strengthening.
  • Operant behavior theories, particularly the matching law, can provide valuable insights into stimulus-driven and goal-driven attention control.