Choice and Matching

1. Choice and Matching Chapter 10 Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

2. Choice • Can you think of a situation or behavior that does not involve choice? Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

3. Choice and Matching • Concurrent schedule of reinforcement • Simultaneous presentation of two or more independent schedules, each of which leads to a reinforcer. • Conc • VR 20 VR 50 • VI 30 VI 60 Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

4. The Matching Law • Hernstein’s 1961 • Concurrent VI schedules (eg. VI 135” VI 270” – 13 versus 27 reinforcers/hr) Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

5. Proportion of responses emitted on a particular schedule matches the proportion of reinforcers obtained on that schedule. Ra/Ra+Rb = SRa/SRa+SRb The Matching Law Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

6. Matching Law • Data from pigeon on a conc VI 30 VI 60 • Reinforcers VI 30 – 119, VI 60 – 58 • Responses VI 30 – 2800, VI 60 – 1450 • Proportion of reinforcers -119/177 = .67 • Proportion of responses – 2800/4250 = .66 Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

7. Matching • Not just in the laboratory • Not just rats and pigeons Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

8. Deviations from Matching • Undermatching – proportion of responses on the richer alternative versus poorer alternative is less different then those predicted from matching (less different) • Little cost for switching from one alternative to another. Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

9. Deviations from Matching • Overmatching – proportion of responses on the richer versus poorer of two alternatives is more different than would be predicted by matching (overmatching more different) • Cost to move is high Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

10. Deviations from Matching • Bias – one alternative attracts a higher proportion of responses than would be predicted by matching, regardless of whether that alternative is the richer or poorer of the two alternatives. Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

11. Deviations from Matching Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

12. Quality and Amount • Matching holds Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

13. Application to Single Schedules • As relative reinforcement for operant response increases responding will increase • Context is important • Outdated magazines in doctors office • Covering JEABs when graduate applications are due Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

14. Melioration • To make better • The distribution of behavior in a choice situation shifts toward those alternatives that have a higher value regardless of the effect on the overall amount of reinforcement Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

15. Problems with Melioration • Tendency towards richer alternatives can result in reduction in obtained reinforcements • VR 100 VI 30 • Allocation of study time to different courses Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

16. Problems with Melioration • Over indulgence in a highly reinforcing alternative can often result in long-term habituation to that alternative, thus reducing its value as a reinforcer. • Too much of a good thing…… • Be careful of what you wish for…. Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

17. Problems with Melioration • Often the result of behavior being too strongly governed by immediate versus delayed consequences. Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

18. Optimization Theory • Make decisions that maximize satisfaction • Matching law –description • Optimization theory – explanation • Matching occurs when it is optimal thing to do • Concurrent VIs matching maximizes the rate of reinforcement Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

19. Optimization versus Matching • Mazur 1981 • Concurrent chained schedules • Matching over optimization • Concurrent VI VR • Matching • Other studies optimization Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

20. Molar versus Molecular Control • Context • History • Bias Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

21. Momentary Maximization Theory • Selection of alternative with highest value at the moment • Size and quality of reinforcer • State of deprivation • Momentary best choice not always best in long run (self-control) • Order in moment to moment patterns? • Gambling experiment • Data suggest absence of momentary maximization if number of responses considered • Maybe maximization if time considered Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

22. Delay Reduction • Choice related to reduction in delay to reinforcement Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

23. Self-Control Choices • Small immediate reinforcer versus delayed larger reinforcer. • Impulsivity versus self-control Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

24. Self-Control • Controlling Responses (Skinner) • Controlled response • Physical restraint • Deprivation satiation • Doing something else • Self-reinforcement and self-punishment Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

25. Self-Control • Temporal Issue • Lack of self-control arises from the fact that our behavior is more heavily influenced by immediate consequences as opposed to delayed consequences. Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

26. Self-Control • Self-control – preference for larger later reward • Impulsiveness – preference for smaller sooner reward Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

27. Anslie-Rachlin Model • Preference for self-control versus impulsive choice shifts over time. • Value of reward is hyperbolic function of delay • Value of reward increases more sharply as delay decreases and reward becomes more imminent. Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

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29. Which do you prefer • $500 now or $1,000 in two years • $500 in four years or $2,000 in six years Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

30. Changing the Shape of Delay • Biological factors • Behavioral disorders • Age • Drugs • History of delayed rewards • Availability of other reinforcers • Chaining or setting up subgoals Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

31. Improving Self-Control • Precommitment • Self-reinforcement • Punishment for impulsive option Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

32. Other Choice Situations • Preference for variability • Pigeons - fixed delay has to be 3-4 secs longer to be preferred over a variable delay. • VR 60 over FR 30 Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

33. Preference for Variable Delays • Delay discounting • Longer delay less value of reinforcer Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.

34. Tragedy of the Commons • Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all. • precommitment • Punishers more immediate reinforcers Steven I. Dworkin, Ph.D.