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Practical implications of the matching law.

J Myerson1, S Hale

  • 1Cardinal Strich College Milwaukee.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|October 1, 1984
PubMed
Summary

Variable interval schedules of reinforcement are superior for decreasing inappropriate behavior in choice situations. This finding holds true across various behavioral patterns, highlighting the practical value of mathematical behavior analysis.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Science
  • Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

  • Problem situations in applied settings are often choice situations.
  • Applied behavior analysts intentionally create choice situations to reduce inappropriate behavior by reinforcing alternative responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the most effective reinforcement schedule for managing choice behavior in applied settings.
  • To evaluate the utility of the matching law in applied behavior analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of choice situations using the matching law.
  • Comparison of variable interval (VI) schedules against other reinforcement schedules.

Main Results:

  • Variable interval (VI) schedules of reinforcement consistently proved superior.
  • VI schedule effectiveness was observed irrespective of the schedule maintaining less appropriate behaviors.
  • Superiority of VI schedules was robust across biased choice behavior, undermatching, and precise matching scenarios.

Conclusions:

  • Variable interval schedules are a superior intervention strategy for choice situations in applied behavior analysis.
  • Mathematical descriptions of behavior, such as the matching law, offer significant practical value for interventions.

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