Which term describes the duration of instances of behavior?

The term that describes the duration of instances of behavior is indeed temporal extent. This concept refers to the length of time that a particular behavior occurs from its beginning to its end. In behavior analysis, understanding the duration of behaviors is crucial, as it helps practitioners assess the overall impact of a behavior and the effectiveness of interventions. By measuring temporal extent, practitioners can gain insight into how long a behavior is maintained and can make informed decisions regarding treatment plans.

Other terms in the options don't relate directly to the concept of duration. Rate pertains to the frequency of behavior occurrences in a specified time frame, while temporal locus refers to when a behavior occurs in relation to time, but not the duration of the behavior itself. Respondent conditioning, on the other hand, relates to a type of learning that occurs through the association of stimuli and is not applicable to measuring behavior duration. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the importance of temporal extent in behavioral analysis.