What is interresponse time (IRT) concerned with?

Interresponse time (IRT) specifically measures the duration between the end of one behavior and the start of the next occurrence of that same behavior. This concept is crucial in behavior analysis as it provides insights into the frequency of behavior. By understanding the IRT, practitioners can assess how quickly behaviors follow one another, which can be important for evaluating the effects of interventions or natural changes in behavior patterns over time.

This measurement helps in developing strategies to increase or decrease behaviors by targeting the intervals between responses, focusing on the pace at which a subject engages in a given behavior.