A method for illustrating the continuity of behavior during schedules of reinforcement

In this article, we present a method for illustrating the continuity of beh avior during schedules of reinforcement. Students experienced either a fixe d-interval 15-sec schedule in which the first contact after 15 sec of a cur sor on a computer screen with a 0.7-cm diameter virtual (invisible) target resulted in reinforcement (a beep) or a fixed-ratio 5 schedule in which eve ry 5th contact with the target Produced the reinforcer. In addition to illu strating the continuity of behavior, this method provides a means of exposi ng students to concepts and methods such as the acquisition of operant beha vior, the assignment-of-credit problem, the organisation of behavior across time, and the analysis of single subject data.