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The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
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Behavioral Momentum Theory: a Tutorial on Response Persistence.

Brian D Greer1, Wayne W Fisher1, Patrick W Romani1

  • 1Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center's Munroe-Meyer Institute, 985450 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA.

The Behavior Analyst
|January 25, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Behavioral momentum theory (BMT) explains response strength by distinguishing behavioral velocity from behavioral mass. Understanding these concepts is key to predicting behavior change when reinforcement is disrupted.

Keywords:
Behavioral massBehavioral momentum theoryBehavioral velocityResponse persistenceResurgence

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral psychology
  • Behavior analysis

Background:

  • Behavioral momentum theory (BMT) offers a framework for understanding response strength when encountering disruptions like extinction.
  • BMT draws parallels with Newtonian physics, differentiating response rate (velocity) from response persistence (mass).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the determinants of behavioral mass within BMT.
  • To outline common disruption methods used for measuring behavioral mass.
  • To enhance reader comprehension of BMT and its practical applications.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature on behavioral momentum theory.
  • It details the factors influencing behavioral mass and velocity.
  • It describes experimental procedures for assessing behavioral mass through disruption.

Main Results:

  • Behavioral velocity is influenced by response-reinforcer relationships.
  • Behavioral mass is determined by stimulus-reinforcer relationships.
  • Disruptors are crucial for measuring behavioral mass.

Conclusions:

  • BMT provides a robust model for analyzing behavioral persistence.
  • Understanding behavioral mass is essential for applied behavior analysis and intervention design.
  • The theory has broad implications across various practical contexts.