Two experiments are reported in which steady and transition states were observed for two independent operants (body-rocking and ball-manipulandum). First, stable fixed-ratio response rates were successively obtained for body-rocking and ball-manipulandum responding. Second, transition states were obtained for the two operants simultaneously. The results showed that the independent operants under standardized experimental conditions showed moderately correlated and stable response rates. The method of simultaneous operants provided a valid technique for analysis of transition states, i.e., the functional separation of stereotyped acts (e.g., body-rocking) and alternative activity (ball-manipulandum). Finally, the effects of experimental manipulations were reversible.
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