Behavior Analysis and Choice Theory

These flashcards cover essential terminology and concepts related to behavior analysis, choice, and reinforcement as discussed in the lecture notes.

Choice

The relative occurrence of two or more alternatives in a decision-making scenario.

Matching Law

A principle stating that the proportion of responses allocated to each choice alternative matches the proportion of reinforcers received for each alternative.

Single Operant

A situation where the response and consequences are manipulated for one operant response class.

Variable Interval Schedule (VI)

A reinforcement schedule where the first response is reinforced after a variable amount of time has passed.

Concurrent Operant

A choice scenario involving two or more alternatives available to the subject at the same time.

Hyperbolic Discounting

A behavioral economics concept explaining how the perceived value of a reward decreases as the delay to its receipt increases.

Generalized Matching Equation

An equation relating the relative rates of behavior (B1/B2) to the relative rates of reinforcement (R1/R2) for alternatives.

Conditioned Reinforcement

A process whereby a stimulus gains its reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer.

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behavior due to its association with reinforcement.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between stimuli based on their effects on behavior.