| Abstract: Reinforcers lose their effectiveness when they are presented repeatedly. Early researchers labeled this loss of effectiveness as satiation without conducting an experimental analysis. When such an analysis is conducted, habituation provides a more precise and empirically accurate label for the changes in reinforcer effectiveness. This tutorial will review some of the arguments that support habituation. Then it will be argued that habituation has surprisingly different implications for applied work than satiation. In particular, postulating that habituation occurs to repeatedly presented reinforcers suggests different ways than satiation for maintaining the strength of an existing reinforcer, for weakening the strength of a problematic reinforcer, and for conceptualizing applied behavioral problems. Finally, potential theoretical implications of habituation will be discussed. Habituation may contribute to multiple-schedule behavioral contrast and to understanding the characteristics of behavior undergoing extinction (e.g., spontaneous recovery, disinhibition). Habituation may also help to regulate many different behaviors. In particular, it may contribute to the termination of behaviors that are usually attributed to satiation (feeding, drinking), fatigue (wheel running), and obtaining a high (consuming alcohol). |
 Dr. Frances K. McSweeney is Professor of Psychology and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Washington State University (WSU). She received her BA, Summa Cum Laude, from Smith College (1969) and her Masters (1972) and PhD (1974) from Harvard University. She joined the faculty at WSU in 1974 and has served as chair of the Psychology Department, as well as chair of the WSU Faculty Senate. Dr. McSweeney has published more than 100 papers on topics such as the Matching Law, behavioral contrast, and dynamic changes in reinforcer value. She has received grants from sources such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health. She has served on the editorial boards of many journals such as Animal Learning & Behavior, the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and The Behavior Analyst. She is currently Associate Editor of Learning and Motivation. Dr. McSweeney served two terms as Program Committee Chair for ABA and is currently a member of the ABA Executive Council. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 3 and 25) and of the American Psychological Society. Dr. McSweeney has won many awards including the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for Research, the Samuel H. Smith Leadership Award, and the Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professor Award. |