The matching law and effects of reinforcer rate and magnitude on choice in transition

Author(s)
Kyonka, Elizabeth
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
Four pigeons responded in a concurrent-schedule procedure in which reinforcer rates and magnitudes changed unpredictably across sessions according to independent random series. Programmed relative reinforcement rates and magnitudes were always either 2:1 or 1:2. Pigeons' response allocation tended to stabilize within sessions and multiple regression analyses showed that it was determined by rates and magnitudes from the current session. Sensitivity coefficients were positive and statistically significant for current-session reinforcement and magnitude ratios. Although there were individual differences in sensitivity to rate and magnitude, their interaction was not significant across subjects. Rate and magnitude both controlled responding in single sessions and individual interreinforcer intervals. Analyses of responding within sessions showed that preference was more extreme when the richer rate and larger magnitude were associated with the same alternative than when they were associated with different alternatives. Overall, results support the concatenated generalized matching law's assumptions of additivity and independence as applied to choice in transition.
Citation
Behavioural Processes, 78(2), p. 210-216
ISSN
1872-8308
0376-6357
Link
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Title
The matching law and effects of reinforcer rate and magnitude on choice in transition
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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