Behavior regulation and learned performance: Some misapprehensions and disagreements.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral psychology
• Animal behavior
• Learning theory

Background:

• The behavior-regulation approach to learned performance faces misunderstandings regarding behavior regulation, set-points, and schedule performance.
• Key areas of disagreement include the role of set-points and whether total responding or response patterns primarily determine schedule effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the nature and importance of behavior regulation and behavioral set-points.
• To re-evaluate existing data questioning optimal schedule performance within the behavior-regulation framework.
• To determine the primary factors influencing molar responding under schedule constraints.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of existing literature and data on learned performance and behavior regulation.
• Re-examination of data previously used to challenge optimal schedule performance (Allison, 1981a).
• Theoretical integration of behavioral set-points and response patterns in schedule-controlled behavior.

Main Results:

• The data strongly support the general behavior-regulation approach to learned performance.
• Behavioral set-points play a significant role in determining schedule behavior.
• Evidence contradicts the hypothesis that deviations from response patterns are the primary determinant of molar schedule effects.

Conclusions:

• The behavior-regulation approach is robust and supported by empirical data.
• Behavioral set-points are crucial for understanding learned performance under schedule constraints.
• Future research should consider the interplay of set-points and response patterns in behavioral regulation.