What type of behaviors have a clearly defined beginning and ending?

Discrete behaviors are characterized by having a clearly defined beginning and ending. This aspect allows for easy identification of when the behavior starts and stops, which is crucial for measurement and analysis in behavior modification and communication disorders. For example, behaviors such as raising a hand to ask a question or completing a verbal response have specific initiation and termination points. In research and therapeutic contexts, this clarity helps in tracking and assessing the frequency and occurrence of these behaviors, making them easier to manage and modify if necessary.

In contrast, continuous behaviors occur over a duration of time without a specific beginning or ending, complicating their measurement. Covert behaviors are internal and not directly observable, while overt behaviors are observable actions that do not necessarily have clear demarcations like discrete behaviors do. Understanding these distinctions is important in the application of behavioral methods in communication disorders.