Abstract
The purpose of the present paper is to examine research trends in the experimental analysis of human behavior. The author reviewed the studies in this field and analyzed research developments in 8 topic areas : (1) aversive control, (2) choice behavior, (3) cooperative and competitive behavior, (4) reinforcement schedules, (5) instructions, (6) effects of reinforcement, (7) stimulus control, and (8) verbal behavior. The main conclusions are as follows : (1) In the experimental analysis of human behavior, very little research is now beingdone in order to test the assumption that many of the laws of behavior are common to a very wide range of species, including humans. (2) Rather, the field has proceeded to a clarification of control variables and behaviors that are unique to humans. This trend may lead to the finding of new laws of human behavior, and to the development of new theories and applications.
