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Economic concepts for the analysis of behavior
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|September 1, 1980
Summary
Integrating economic principles enhances the science of behavior by analyzing reinforcement schedules, response rates, and choice. This review highlights how behavioral experiments function as economic systems, with reinforcers exhibiting elasticity and interacting as complements or substitutes.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Behavioral economics
- Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between reinforcement schedules, response rates, and choice is crucial in behavioral science.
- Existing models may not fully capture the complexity of decision-making under various reinforcement conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the application of economic concepts to behavioral science.
- To provide a framework for a more comprehensive understanding of behavior.
- To analyze the interplay between reinforcement, response rate, and choice.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing concepts from behavioral science and economics.
- Analysis of the characteristics of behavioral experiments as economic systems.
- Examination of the functional properties of reinforcers, including elasticity and interactions.
Main Results:
- Behavioral experiments can be viewed as economic systems, with system characteristics influencing outcomes.
- Reinforcers possess a property termed elasticity, affecting their value and impact.
- Reinforcers can function as complements or substitutes, influencing choice behavior.
- Simple choice rules like strict matching are insufficient to explain all observed choice behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Economic concepts offer valuable insights for advancing the science of behavior.
- A nuanced understanding of reinforcer properties and interactions is necessary.
- Future research should integrate economic principles to develop more robust behavioral models.
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