Biological System
Experiment 1
Examining the effects of learning history on Behaviour
Objectives
Design a specific history of interacting
with the environment and then present stimuli in a test to see what happens.

Biological System
Add a Visual Stimulus
Record changes in physiology

What colour?
Biological System
And an Auditory Stimulus
Record changes in physiology

What colour?
“WHITE”
Biological System
+
Voluntary Behaviour?
Record changes in Verbal Behaviour

What colour?
“BLACK”
Biological System
Voluntary Behaviour?

What do cows drink?
“MILK”
Biological System
TEST
Voluntary Behaviour?

Biological System
“Voluntary Behaviour” is a term that is not very useful as a scientific category.
Conclusion
Why?
Because it does not offer an explanation for behaviour. In fact, it creates the illusion of having
explained something.

Biological System
A more exhaustive explanation is found by looking at
Conclusion
1  Genetic make-up which determines the kinds of physiological changes that can occur.
2  The stimuli that defined the past interaction with the environment, which in turn controlled the
kinds of physiological changes that took place.
3  The stimuli present in the current environment that interact with the effects of the history of
physiological changes.

Implications
What might be concluded if you don’t know the history?
Current Observation
They are simply ‘incorrect’
They are ‘stupid’
They are behaving ‘abnormally’
You see someone say “MILK” when asked what cows drink

a better demonstration of control!
Trials
   1              2              3               4                5                6
7
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
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What colour?
What do cows drink?
Increase the number of trials to see if this affects results

a better demonstration of control!
Subject 1
Trials
   1              2              3               4                5                6
7
Subject 2
Subject 3
Subject 4
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Biological System
We added a Visual Stimulus
Recorded changes in behaviour

Biological System
What would happen if we changed
the colour of the stimulus?
Record changes in behaviour again
Experiment 2
Examining the effects of learning history on Behaviour

Biological System
Add a Stimulus
Record changes in physiology

Biological System
Implications
History
Current Observation
Doing this is at the heart  of the science of behaviour analysis.
Reflexive & Voluntary behaviours can be studied by learning how to control them.

Biological System
Implications
History
Current Observation
Doing this is at the heart  of the science of behaviour analysis.
Reflexive & Voluntary behaviours can be studied by learning how to control them.