Skip to main content
The Behavior Analyst logoLink to The Behavior Analyst
. 1990 Spring;13(1):3–10. doi: 10.1007/BF03392509

Kinetic output: A conceptual, dimensional and empirical analysis

J Powell, R F Dickie
PMCID: PMC2733392  PMID: 22478041

Abstract

A dimensional analysis permitted behavioral frequency, duration and available time to be collapsed into a singular dimensionless expression called Kinetic output (Ko). An empirical analysis across several behaviors in some human subjects showed that the derived index of behavioral output, Ko, was more likely to exhibit less variability than rate or duration measures of the behavior. As a reduction in variability is synonymous with finding an increased order, the results tentatively support the notion that behavior may exhibit conformity at a previously undetected level. One major implication of the Ko formulation is that divergent frequency and duration performances are interpretable as reflecting alternate forms of the same equivalence.

Keywords: kinetic output, quantitative integration, variability, dimensional analysis, response strength

Full text

PDF
3

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Baum W. M., Rachlin H. C. Choice as time allocation. J Exp Anal Behav. 1969 Nov;12(6):861–874. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1969.12-861. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Harris S. L., Wolchik S. A. Suppression of self-stimulation: three alternative strategies. J Appl Behav Anal. 1979 Summer;12(2):185–198. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1979.12-185. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Harzem P. Experimental analysis of individual differences and personality. J Exp Anal Behav. 1984 Nov;42(3):385–395. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.42-385. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Rast J., Johnston J. M., Drum C. A parametric analysis of the relationship between food quantity and rumination. J Exp Anal Behav. 1984 Mar;41(2):125–134. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.41-125. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Rast J., Johnston J. M., Drum C., Conrin J. The relation of food quantity to rumination behavior. J Appl Behav Anal. 1981 Summer;14(2):121–130. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1981.14-121. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Rose T. L. The functional relationship between artificial food colors and hyperactivity. J Appl Behav Anal. 1978 Winter;11(4):439–446. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1978.11-439. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. SKINNER B. F. Are theories of learning necessary? Psychol Rev. 1950 Jul;57(4):193–216. doi: 10.1037/h0054367. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Springer B., Brown T., Duncan P. K. Current measurement in applied behavior analysis. Behav Anal. 1981 Spring;4(1):19–31. doi: 10.1007/BF03391849. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Behavior Analyst are provided here courtesy of Association for Behavior Analysis International

RESOURCES