ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the nature of respondent–operant interrelationships. Autoshaping is an example, in which an operant response is elicited by respondent procedures. The Brelands’ animal training demonstrations with species-specific behavior being elicited by operant contingencies—is another example. Other experiments show that reflexive and respondent behavior can be controlled by operant contingencies. For example, the Miller studies showed that show that heart rate—an autonomic response—could be reinforced by electrical stimulation of the brain. Taste aversion also shows biological factors underlying conditioning procedures. Garcia and Koelling’s work indicates that some stimuli (flavor–poison) condition more readily than others (flavor–shock), illustrating how organisms are prepared for conditioning based on evolution and natural selection. Work in this area relates to toxic plant ingestion and diet selection. Finally, activity anorexia as a laboratory and real-world human problem is described. When restricted access to food and the opportunity to exercise are combined, an organism may engage in a cycle of self-starvation and excessive exercise, potentially leading to a deadly spiral.
