Behavioral flexibility in learning to sit
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
Published on: February 15, 2015
Jaya Rachwani1, Kasey C Soska1, Karen E Adolph1
1Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, New York.
Abstract:
What do infants learn when they learn to sit upright? We tested behavioral flexibility in learning to sit-the ability to adapt posture to changes in the environment-in 6- to 9-month-old infants sitting on forward and backward slopes. Infants began with slant at 0°; then slant increased in 2° increments until infants lost balance. Infants kept balance on impressively steep slopes, especially in the forward direction, despite the unexpected movements of the apparatus. Between slant adjustments while the slope was stationary, infants adapted posture to the direction and degree of slant by leaning backward on forward slopes and forward on backward slopes. Postural adaptations were nearly optimal for backward slopes. Sitting experience predicted greater postural adaptations and increased ability to keep balance on steeper changes of slant, but only for forward slopes. We suggest that behavioral flexibility is integral to learning to sit and increases with sitting experience.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Learning
In contrast to learned behaviors, unlearned behaviors such as crying, sexual...
Behaviorism
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
Observational Learning
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Behavior Modification
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...

