Chapter Ten - Choice, Matching, & Self-control Flashcards
Bias from Matching?
A deviation from matching in which one response alternative attracts a higher proportion of responses than would be predicted by matching, regardless of whether that alternative contains the richer or poorer schedule.
When one choice gets more responses than expected, no matter if it’s the better or worse option.
Commitment Response?
An action carried out an early point in time that serves to either eliminate or reduce the value of an upcoming temptation. Also called a precommitment response.
An action taken early to prevent or reduce the temptation to make a bad choice later.
Concurrent Schedule of Reinforcement?
A complex schedule consisting of the simultaneous presentation of two more independent schedules, each leading to a reinforcer.
A situation where you have two or more different reward systems happening at the same time, and you can choose between them.
Impulsiveness?
With respect to choice between two rewards. selecting a smaller sooner reward over a larger later reward.
Matching Law?
The principle that the proportion of responses emitted on a particular schedule will tend to match the proportion of reinforcers obtained on that schedule.
You tend to make more responses on the option that gives you more rewards.
Melioration Theory?
A theory of matching that holds that the distribution of behavior in a choice situation shifts toward those alternatives that have higher value of regardless of the long-term effect on overall amount of reinforcement.
You might shift your behavior toward the option that seems better in the moment, even if it’s not the best choice in the long run.
Overmatching?
A deviation from matching in which the proportion of responses on the richer schedule versus poorer schedule is more different than would be predicted by matching.
You respond more on the richer option than predicted, making the difference between the two choices larger than it should be.
Self-control?
With respect to choice between two rewards, selecting a larger later reward over a smaller sooner reward.
Small-but-Cumulative Effects Model?
A model of self-control in which each individual choice between a smaller sooner and larger later reward has only a small but cumulative effect on our likelihood of obtaining the desired outcome.
Each small choice between a quick reward and a bigger later reward adds up over time to affect your ability to make good choices.
Undermatching?
A deviation from matching in which the proportion of responses on the richer schedule versus poorer schedule is less different than would be predicted by matching.
You don’t choose the richer option as much as you should, making the difference between the two choices smaller than expected.
What schedule is defined as two schedules in effect simultaneously and independently?
Concurrent schedule.
What do concurrent schedules examine?
- How responses distributed between two response alternatives.
- How schedule of reinforcement governing each choice influences its choices.
Matching law:
Proportion of ___ = Proportion of _____
- Reinforcements.
- Responses.
Which type of matching is most common?
Undermatching.
Three deviations from matching?
- Undermatching.
- Overmatching.
- Bias.
