Which term describes the timing of a behavior in relation to other events?

• A. Topography
• B. Time sampling
• C. Temporal locus
• D. Stimulus control

Answer: (C)

The timing of a behavior relative to other events is described by temporal locus. This term captures when the response occurs in relation to antecedents or consequences—for example, how long after a cue a learner starts the response (latency) or how much time passes between successive responses (interresponse time). Understanding temporal locus helps us assess how quickly a behavior is produced after a cue and how responses are spaced over time. In contrast, topography describes the form of the behavior, time sampling is a method for estimating occurrence during intervals rather than exact timing, and stimulus control refers to how stimuli influence the occurrence of a response.