Zeiler, M.D. (2006).
An architect of the golden years.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 86, 385-391.
William H. Morse has played a major role in the experimental analysis of behavior. His view of
operant behavior as the outcome of differential reinforcement provides an invaluable lesson in
scientific research and theory. He studied schedules of reinforcement to generate an in-depth
analysis of the complex interactions existing when contingencies exert their control over behavior.
He has been instrumental in showing how behavior is determined by the dynamic interaction of factors
brought into play by the imposition of any schedule, and he has a remarkably intuitive understanding of
the nature of these determining variables. Some of these causal events are imposed directly by the
schedule, but others arise in a more indirect manner through necessary constraints. In Morse’s view,
schedules can be more fundamental in determining behavior than are the scheduled events themselves.
Behavior is the shaped product of an organism’s history in combination with present environment
al conditions. His impact deserves to be more than historical: A study of his work continues to
reward the reader with exciting insights into the nature of behavioral control.
Key words: William H. Morse, schedules of reinforcement, schedule theory, operant behavior, shapings