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Related Experiment Videos

Matching: its acquisition and generalization.

Michael A Crowley1, John W Donahoe

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst 01003, USA. mcrowley@mtholyoke.edu

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|November 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Organisms initially prefer options with higher rewards. As switching becomes easier and stimuli more similar, behavior shifts towards matching reward frequencies, a key finding in choice behavior research.

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Operant Conditioning

Background:

  • Choice behavior is typically studied using concurrent variable-interval schedules.
  • These schedules can reinforce both key-pecking and switching responses.
  • Minimizing switching operants is crucial for initial response acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate choice behavior in pigeons under controlled concurrent schedules.
  • To examine how the acquisition of switching operants influences choice.
  • To understand the convergence towards a matching relation in choice behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Pigeons acquired discriminated key-pecking responses under a multiple schedule.
  • Choice was assessed during concurrent-probe periods with paired discriminative stimuli.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Concurrent schedules were gradually modified to increase opportunities for switching operant conditioning.

    • Main Results:

    • Initial exposure to concurrent stimuli resulted in exclusive preference for the higher reinforcement alternative.
    • As switching operants were acquired, relative response frequency converged towards relative reinforcement frequency (matching).
    • Increased similarity of concurrent stimuli and generalization of switching behavior facilitated this convergence.

    Conclusions:

    • Exclusive preference declines as concurrent stimuli become more similar and switching behavior is acquired.
    • The acquisition and generalization of switching operants are key to establishing approximate matching.
    • This process explains the matching relation observed in typical concurrent schedule procedures.