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Monkeys were trained to detect 100‐msec increments in the intensity of continuous white noise. A response on one of two bars was reinforced with some probability if it conformed to the presence or absence of the increment on that trial. Stimulus parameters of background intensity, increment size, and probability of increment presentation were varied, and response probabilities and latencies were recorded. The task was analogous to the “yes‐no” task used in human psychophysics. Data analysis within the context of signal‐detection theory revealed response biasing toward one bar or the other to be related to the probability of increment presentation, whereas sensitivity depended on the combination of increment size and background noise intensity. Weber's law was found to hold for a large range of background intensities in that the sensitivity to relative intensity increments varied little. Performance was compared to that of an ideal observer that uses samples of the envelope of the noise waveform on which to base its responses.

The institutionalized mentally retarded display a variety of unsanitary, disruptive, and improper table manners. A program was developed that included (1) acquisition‐training of a high standard of proper table manners and (2) maintenance procedures to provide continued motivation to maintain proper mealtime behaviors and decrease improper skills. Twelve retardates received acquisition training, individually, by a combination of verbal instruction, imitation, and manual guidance. The students then ate in their group dining arrangement where the staff supervisor provided continuing approval for proper manners and verbal correction and timeout for improper manners. The results were: (1) the trained retardates showed significant improvement, whereas those untrained did not; (2) the trained retardates ate as well in the institution as non‐retarded customers did in a public restaurant; (3) proper eating was maintained in the group dining setting; (4) timeout was rarely needed; (5) the program was easily administered by regular staff in a regular dining setting. The rapidity, feasibility, and effectiveness of the program suggests the program as a solution to improper mealtime behaviors by the institutionalized mentally retarded.

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Monkeys initiated a stimulus by pressing on the center of three levers and the stimulus terminated independently of behavior 60, 80, 90, or 100 sec later. Presses on the right lever were reinforced with food following the three briefer durations, and presses on the left lever, following the 100‐sec duration. Incorrect responses produced a 10‐sec timeout. Probability of presenting the 100‐sec duration was manipulated in the range from 0.25 to 0.75, with the probabilities of the briefer durations remaining equal and summing to one minus the probability of the 100‐sec duration. Percentage of responses on either side lever was functionally related to both the probability of presenting the 100‐sec stimulus and to stimulus duration. An analysis of the data based on the theory of signal detection resulted in operating characteristics that were linear when plotted on normal‐normal coordinates. The percentage of responses on either lever approximated the optimal values for maximizing reinforcement probability in each condition of the experiment.

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