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Matching theory and induction explain operant performance.

William M Baum1, Randolph C Grace2

  • 1University of California, Davis.

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|February 11, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Behavioral matching theory explains how animals allocate activity. New equations combining matching theory, competition, and induction reveal how reinforcers induce behavior, even without direct contingency.

Keywords:
contingencyinductionmatching theorypower functionvariable-interval schedule

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Animal behavior
  • Operant conditioning

Background:

  • Matching theory is a framework for understanding behavior allocation across activities.
  • Previous work suggested reinforcers induce competing activities via power functions.
  • Integrating induction with matching theory enhances explanatory power.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of reinforcement-induced behavior in single schedules.
  • To test new equations combining matching theory, competition, and induction.
  • To examine pigeons' responses to varying food delivery schedules.

Main Methods:

  • Four pigeons were exposed to 7 different food delivery schedules per session.
  • Variable-interval and ratio schedules were employed.
  • Behavioral induction was assessed by removing the contingency between pecking and food.

Main Results:

  • Pigeons showed a negatively accelerated increase in pecking rate with increasing food rates at low levels.
  • Pecking rates upturned at higher food rates and downturned at extremely high rates.
  • Food continued to induce pecking for over 20 sessions after contingency removal.

Conclusions:

  • The results support the integration of matching theory, competition, and induction.
  • Reinforcement-induced behavior plays a significant role in operant responding.
  • The developed equations offer a more comprehensive explanation of behavioral allocation.