ANÁLISE DO COMPORTAMENTO DE OBSERVAÇÃO

Abstract

This article examines the operant condition of observing behavior, briefly reviewing the history of this concept in the literature of experimental behavior analysis through the discussion of five experiments. The expression “observing behavior” is used to indicate the relation between a response and its consequences, and the term response for instances of the production of such consequences. The necessity of taking two three-term contingencies to study observing behavior and also the cautions that should be taken before calling a behavior an observing behavior are emphasized. The defining characteristics of an observing behavior and its implication in conditioned reinforcement and in stimulus control are discussed.Key words: observing behavior; observing response; conditioned reinforcer; stimulus control; two functionsstimulus