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Define the experimental analysis of behavior. In your definition, identify the mid-20th-century researcher who refined its techniques, the primary research design it relies upon, the types of subjects traditionally used in its early research, and what it aims to investigate.

Question: Define the experimental analysis of behavior. In your definition, identify the mid-20th-century researcher who refined its techniques, the primary research design it relies upon, the types of subjects traditionally used in its early research, and what it aims to investigate.

Sample answer: The experimental analysis of behavior is a subfield of behaviorism developed by B. F. Skinner in the mid-20th century. It relies almost exclusively on single-subject research designs. It aims to investigate how external factors, such as rewards and punishments, systematically influence behavior over time. Traditionally, it was conducted using nonhuman subjects like rats and pigeons to establish foundational principles of learning.

Key points:

  • Developed in the mid-20th century by B. F. Skinner who refined single-subject methodology.
  • Relies almost exclusively on single-subject research designs.
  • Investigates how external factors like rewards and punishments systematically influence behavior over time.
  • Traditionally conducted using nonhuman subjects, specifically rats and pigeons, to establish foundational principles of learning.

Rubric: Full credit is awarded if the student correctly identifies B. F. Skinner as the developer who refined the techniques, notes the exclusive reliance on single-subject research designs, mentions how external factors (specifically rewards and punishments) systematically influence behavior over time, and specifies that rats and pigeons (nonhuman subjects) were traditionally used to establish learning principles.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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KPU

Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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