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Rule-following and human operant responding: Conceptual and methodological considerations.
The Analysis of Verbal Behavior
|April 6, 2012
Summary
This study analyzes rule-governed behavior, focusing on pliance and tracking. A new microcomputer method is proposed to study rule-following by reinforcing subject response correspondences.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Rule-governed behavior is central to human operant research.
- Previous methods for studying rule-following have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a conceptual analysis of rule-governed behavior, defining pliance and tracking.
- To propose a novel microcomputer-based strategy for studying rule-following.
- To report preliminary findings and discuss applications.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of rule-governed behavior, differentiating pliance and tracking.
- Development of a microcomputer system to reinforce correspondences between guesses and responses.
- Preliminary demonstration of the proposed methodology.
Main Results:
- The conceptual framework distinguishes pliance and tracking as key functional classes.
- The microcomputer strategy demonstrated feasibility in studying rule-following.
- Preliminary data suggest the utility of the novel approach.
Conclusions:
- The proposed microcomputer strategy offers a new avenue for researching rule-following.
- Further analysis of rule-following behavior can be advanced using this methodology.
- The conceptualization of pliance and tracking enhances understanding of rule-governed behavior.
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