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Selection by consequences, behavioral evolution, and the price equation.

William M Baum1

  • 1University of California, Davis and University of New Hampshire.

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|May 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Price's equation offers a mathematical framework for understanding evolution across various domains, including behavior. This analytical tool precisely describes selection by consequences, aiding in the analysis of behavioral change within organisms' lifetimes.

Keywords:
Price Equationbehavioral evolutionconcurrent schedulesinduced activityinductionnegative contingenciesoperant activityreinforcementself-control

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Mathematics

Background:

  • Price's equation is a derived identity, not a theory, offering a mathematical framework for evolutionary processes.
  • It can describe genetic, cultural, and behavioral evolution at multiple levels and timescales.
  • Behavioral evolution is often termed "selection by consequences."

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the utility of Price's equation as an analytical tool in behavior analysis.
  • To demonstrate how the equation can precisely restate or replace the law of effect.
  • To explore its application in understanding ontogenetic behavioral change as evolutionary change.

Main Methods:

  • Application of Price's equation to behavioral evolution.
  • Analysis of behavioral change within organisms' lifetimes using the equation.
  • Abstract and general description of evolutionary change.

Main Results:

  • The Price equation provides lucid descriptions of behavioral evolution (selection by consequences).
  • It precisely restates the law of effect, offering a potential replacement.
  • The equation aids in understanding behavioral changes within an organism's lifetime.

Conclusions:

  • The behavioral Price equation is a valuable analytical tool for understanding ontogenetic behavioral change.
  • It illuminates diverse behavioral phenomena, including response rate, choice analyses, negative contingencies, and self-control dilemmas.
  • The equation's abstract nature allows for broad applicability in analyzing evolutionary change in behavior.