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In pursuit of general behavioral relations
1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Behavioral momentum, a principle linking reinforcement rate to behavioral persistence, shows promise for human applications. Further research is needed to establish its generalizability and limits in applied behavior analysis.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Applied behavior analysis
Background:
- Translating basic research to behavioral technologies requires generalizable principles.
- Behavioral momentum is a robust behavioral relation between reinforcement rate and persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the implications of behavioral momentum for applied behavior analysis.
- To justify studies on the generality and limits of the reinforcement rate-persistence relation.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing strategies for establishing the generality of behavioral relations.
- Summarizing evidence for the generality of behavioral momentum.
Main Results:
- Behavioral momentum research indicates a functional relation between reinforcement rate and behavioral persistence.
- Evidence suggests the generality of behavioral momentum across different situations.
Conclusions:
- Understanding behavioral persistence is crucial for applied behavior analysts.
- Behavioral momentum offers a potentially applicable principle from basic research.