Kinesthetic Operant Bias in Keyboard-Based Choice Behavior

In the first experiment described in this paper, in which participants typed non-word sequences of letters on the computer keyboard, systematic bias for certain operants over others—strong enough to override the programmed independent variable of the study—was observed.  A second experiment was then designed to remove this bias by replacing the letters on the keyboard with symbols.  However, more systematic operant bias was observed in Experiment 2 than previously in Experiment 1.  Ergonomic analysis of the specific keystrokes making up operants for which bias was observed in Experiment 2 points to three specific and quantifiable kinesthetic biases affecting human typing behavior.