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

Operant Conditioning01:21

Operant Conditioning

1.7K
Operant conditioning, a key concept in behavioral psychology, involves using reinforcement and punishment to alter the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. B.F. introduced this type of conditioning. Skinner focused on voluntary behaviors and the consequences that follow them, influencing whether these behaviors will be strengthened or diminished.
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
1.7K
Law of Effect01:06

Law of Effect

1.5K
B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...
1.5K
Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

685
Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
685
Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

95
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
95
Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

130
In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective. 
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
130
Behaviorism01:28

Behaviorism

2.4K
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.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
2.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

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

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

Development and evaluation of a simultaneous bilingual communication intervention protocol for autistic children.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2025
Same author

Extending the Single Case Analysis and Review Framework (SCARF-UI): A review and discussion.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2025
Same author

Adaptive purchase tasks in the operant demand framework.

Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology·2025
Same author

Conditions that increase the perceived likelihood of temporary restriction of firearm access: An investigation in male firearm owners.

Suicide & life-threatening behavior·2024
Same author

Extensions of open science for applied behavior analysis: Preregistration for single-case experimental designs.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
12:09

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

23.5K

Interpretation(s) of essential value in operant demand.

Shawn P Gilroy1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|March 28, 2023
PubMed
Summary

The operant demand framework quantifies how ecological factors influence choice by measuring reinforcer "essential value." This study refines this value measurement for better behavioral economic metrics.

Keywords:
behavioral economicselasticityessential valueoperant demand

More Related Videos

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
07:07

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

8.7K
Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse
08:39

Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse

Published on: November 10, 2010

13.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
12:09

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

23.5K
Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
07:07

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

8.7K
Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse
08:39

Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse

Published on: November 10, 2010

13.0K

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Economics
  • Psychology

Background:

  • The operant demand framework quantifies how ecological factors influence choice.
  • A key goal is isolating the "essential value" of reinforcers, their behavioral impact under varying conditions.
  • This value is influenced by magnitude, price, demand intensity, and reinforcer availability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a historical summary of the operant demand framework.
  • To describe the quantitative basis for essential value.
  • To present a new formulation for a more succinct and durable essential value index.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the operant demand framework's history and quantitative basis.
  • Analysis of prior attempts to index essential value.
  • Development of a new formulation using an exact solution for essential value.

Main Results:

  • A historical overview of the operant demand framework is presented.
  • The quantitative underpinnings of essential value are detailed.
  • A novel formulation offers a more precise and stable index of essential value.

Conclusions:

  • The refined essential value index improves behavioral economic metrics.
  • Recommendations are provided for enhancing metric precision, accuracy, and interpretation.
  • This work supports consensus in the operant demand framework's application.