Choice, Matching and Self-Control

Question 1

Define bias from matching.

Answer 1

A deviation from matching where one schedule attracts a higher proportion of responses than matching predicts, regardless of the richer or poorer schedule.

Question 2

Define commitment response.

Answer 2

An action carried out at an early point in time that serves to either eliminate or reduce the value of an upcoming temptation.

Question 3

Explain a concurrent schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 3

A complex schedule consisting of the simultaneous presentation of two or more independent schedules, each leading to a reinforcer.

Question 4

Define impulsiveness.

Answer 4

With respect to choice between two rewards, selecting a smaller sooner reward over a larger later reward.

Question 5

Define matching law.

Answer 5

The priniciple that the proportion of responses emitted on a particular schedule matches the proportion of reinforcers obtained on that schedule.

Question 6

Explain melioration theory.

Answer 6

The distribution of responses in a choice situation leans towards the richer schedule and ignores the long-term effect on reinforcement.

Question 7

Define overmatching.

Answer 7

A deviation from matching where the proportion of responses on the richer schedule versus poorer schedule is more different than would be predicted by matching.

Question 8

Define self-control, with respect to choice between two rewards.

Answer 8

Selecting a larger later reward over a smaller sooner reward.

Question 9

Explain the small-but-cumulative effects model.

Answer 9

Each individual choice on a self-control task has only a small but cumulative effect on out likelihood of obtaining the desired long-term outcome.

Question 10

What does the matching law predict?

Answer 10

A consistent relationship between the proportion of reinforcers obtained on a certain alternative and the proportion of responses emitted on that alternative.

Question 11

According to the matching law, if a pigeon gets 60% of its reinforcers on a particular alternative, what percentage of its responses will it use on that alternative?

Answer 11

60%.

Question 12

What human behaviour may the principle of matching underlie?

Answer 12

Social behaviour.

Question 13

Name the three exceptions or deviations from matching.

Answer 13

Undermatching, overmatching, and bias from matching.

Question 14

What occurs in undermatching?

Answer 14

The proportion of responses on the richer schedule versus the poorer schedule is less different than would be predicted by matching.

Question 15

When can undermatching occur?

Answer 15

When there is little cost for switching from one schedule to another.

Question 16

What is a changeover delay (COD)?

Answer 16

When the act of switching between keys initiates a slight delay during which no response will produce a reinforcer.

Question 17

What occurs when there is no COD?

Answer 17

The organism will switch back and forth between keys to maximise the amount of reinforcers it achieves.

Question 18

When can overmatching occur?

Answer 18

When the cost of moving from one alternative to another is very high.

Question 19

Bias can be seen as a precise way to measure:

Answer 19

Preference.

Question 20

What does the matching law not explain?

Answer 20

Why the pattern of distribution occurs.

Question 21

Explain maximisation theory.

Answer 21

A pattern of distribution occurs because it maximises the overall level of reinforcement.

Question 22

What does meliorate mean?

Answer 22

Make better.

Question 23

Give another name for maximisation theory.

Answer 23

Optimisation theory.

Question 24

Give a problem with melioration theory.

Answer 24

The tendency to move towards a richer alternative can sometimes result in a substantial reduction in the total amount of reinforcement obtained.

Question 25

What did Skinner view self-control as an issue of?

Answer 25

Conflicting outcomes.

Question 26

How did Skinner propose that we manage the conflict between outcomes?

Answer 26

By using two responses; a controlling response that alters the frequency of a controlled response.

Question 27

Name four types of controlling responses.

Answer 27

Physical restraint, depriving and satiating, distraction, and self-reinforcement and self-punishment.

Question 28

Explain Skinner’s controlling response, physical restraint.

Answer 28

You physically manipulate the environment to prevent the occurrence of some problem behaviour.

Question 29

Explain Skinner’s controlling response, depriving and satiating.

Answer 29

By depriving or satiating yourself, you alter the extent to which a certain event can act as a reinforcer.

Question 30

From a temporal perspective, lack of self-control arises from:

Answer 30

The fact that our behaviour is more heavily influences by immediate consequences than by delayed consequences.

Question 31

What is a delay of gratification task?

Answer 31

The task of choosing between a smaller sooner reward and a larger later reward.

Question 32

Who came up with the delay of gratification paradigm?

Answer 32

Mischel.

Question 33

What is resistance to temptation greatly enhanced by?

Answer 33

Not attending to the reward.

Question 34

What does the Ainslie-Rachlin model of self-control focus on?

Answer 34

The fact that preference between smaller, sooner rewards and larger later rewards can shift over time.

Question 35

What assumption is the Ainslie-Rachlin model of self-control based on?

Answer 35

The value of a reward is a hyperbolic function of its delay.

Question 36

What happens to the value of a reward as delay decreases?

Answer 36

It increases more and more sharply as attainment of the reward becomes imminent.

Question 37

How can we influence preference reversal? (2)

Answer 37

By changing the shape of the delay function for the LLR and making a commitment response.

Question 38

What did Herrnstein suggest?

Answer 38

Several variables that can affect the shape of a delay function.

Question 39

What principle does behavioural contracting operate on?

Answer 39

The commitment response.

Question 40

Explain behavioural contracting.

Answer 40

Where a person formally arranges to attain certain rewards for resisting temptation or receive certain punishers for yielding to it.

Question 41

In what ways does the small-but-cumulative effects model suggest ways to improve self control? (2)

Answer 41

Having a plan in place to handle occasional lapses, and establishing rules that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours