Measures of Choice Behavior and the Matching Law in Reinforcement Schedules

What does the measure of choice behavior assess?

The distribution of responses made or time spent at two competing options.

How is the relative rate of responding calculated?

It expresses the number of responses made at a given option as a percentage of the total responses made from both options.

What is the relative rate of responding when both options deliver rewards under the same reinforcement schedule?

0.5 on both levers.

What does the sum of relative rates for both options equal?

One.

How is the relative reinforcement rate calculated?

It expresses the number of rewards received from an option as a percentage of the total rewards received from both options.

What is the relative reinforcement rate when both options deliver rewards under the same reinforcement schedule?

0.5 on both levers.

What does the Matching Law state about relative response rates?

The relative response rate will match the relative rate of reinforcement at that option.

What happens to behavior when the relative response rate and relative reinforcement rate are both 0.5?

Animals will adjust their behavior to maximize rewards.

Who conducted research to determine the relationship between relative responding and relative reward?

Herrnstein in 1961.

What is the generalized form of the Matching Law?

B₁/BR = b(r₁/rR)s, which accounts for differences in sensitivity to relative reward and response bias.

What does it mean if 's' is less than 1 in the Matching Law?

It indicates reduced sensitivity to the relative rate of reinforcement.

What does it mean if 's' is greater than 1 in the Matching Law?

It indicates increased sensitivity to the relative rate of reinforcement.

What do molecular theories of maximizing assume?

Animals will choose the option that is most likely to deliver a reward right now.

What do molar theories of maximizing assume?

Animals distribute their choices to maximize total rewards over the long run.

What is the goal of animals in terms of reward during a session?

To maximize the total number of rewards received.

What does undermatching refer to in the context of the Matching Law?

A situation where the response rate does not match the reinforcement rate as expected.

What does overmatching refer to in the context of the Matching Law?

A situation where the response rate exceeds the reinforcement rate as expected.

What is the significance of the slope in the Matching Law graph?

It indicates the relationship between relative response rates and relative reinforcement rates.

What is the formula for the relative response rate for the left option?

BL / (BL + BR).

What is the formula for the relative reinforcement rate for the left option?

rL / (rL + rR).

What is the total reinforcement when both options are equal?

1.0.