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. 2023 Apr 12;46(2):355-376.
doi: 10.1007/s40614-023-00369-y. eCollection 2023 Jun.

The PORTL Laboratory

Mary E Hunter  1 , Jesús Rosales-Ruiz  2
Affiliations

The PORTL Laboratory

Mary E Hunter et al. Perspect Behav Sci. .

Abstract

In the history of the field, behavior analysts have used the operant chamber as an apparatus for both teaching and experimental investigations. In the early days of the field, students spent significant time in the animal laboratory, using operant chambers to conduct hands-on experiments. These experiences allowed students to see behavior change as an orderly process and drew many students toward careers in behavior analysis. Today, most students no longer have access to animal laboratories. However, the Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab (PORTL) can fill this void. PORTL is a table-top game that creates a free-operant environment for studying the principles of behavior and their application. This article will describe how PORTL works and the parallels between PORTL and the operant chamber. Examples will illustrate how PORTL can be used to teach concepts such as differential reinforcement, extinction, shaping, and other basic principles. In addition to its use as a teaching tool, PORTL provides a convenient and inexpensive way for students to replicate research studies and even conduct their own research projects. As students use PORTL to identify and manipulate variables, they gain a deeper understanding for how behavior works.

Keywords: Laboratory experience; Operant chamber; PORTL; Research apparatus; Shaping; Teaching behavior analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestMary E. Hunter and Jesús Rosales-Ruiz are the authors of PORTL: The Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab, the PORTL laboratory manual discussed in this article. In addition, the first author, Mary E. Hunter, is the owner of Behavior Explorer, the company that prints and sells the manual.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Elements of an Operant Chamber and of PORTL
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Instruction Sheet for Exercise 7. Note. The right column shows what a hypothetical teacher might write. The instruction sheet is from Rosales-Ruiz & Hunter, .
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A Sample Learner Data Sheet for Exercise 7. Note. The data sheet shows how a hypothetical learner might respond. The data sheet is from Rosales-Ruiz & Hunter, .
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sample Behaviors that Could Be Taught Using PORTL. Note. The behaviors in this list are taken from Rosales-Ruiz & Hunter, .
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
A Teaching Plan for the Behavior of Turning over Three Objects and then Placing Them in a Small Slinky. Note. The planning worksheet is taken from Rosales-Ruiz & Hunter, , p. 84.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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