Week 10: Choice, Matching, Self-Control

Question 1

Concurrent Schedule of Reinforcement

Answer 1

The simultaneous presentation of two or more independent schedules, each leading to a reinforcer.

Question 2

The Matching Law

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Undermatching

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Changeover Delay (COD)

Answer 4

A slight delay in available reinforcement after signalling intent of switching to a new schedule.

Question 5

Overmatching

Answer 5

The proportion of responses on the richer vs the poorer side is more different than would be predicted by matching.

Question 6

Bias From Matching

Answer 6

When 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 of reinforcement.

Question 7

Melioration Theory

Answer 7

The distribution of behaviour in a choice situation shifts towards those alternatives that have high value regardless of the long-term effect on the overall amount of reinforcement.

Question 8

How can Melioration Theory reduce the overall level of reinforcement.

Answer 8

1. An alternative may not require as much responding as one is distributing towards it to obtain all of the available reinforcers.
2. Overindulgence in a high reinforcing alternative can often result in long-term habituation to that alternative, thus reducing its value as a reinforcer.
3. Melioration is often the result of behaviour being too strongly governed by immediate consequences as opposed to delayed consequences.

Question 9

Self-Control

Answer 9

Choosing a larger later reward over a smaller sooner reward.

Question 10

Impulsiveness

Answer 10

Choosing a smaller sooner reward over larger later reward.

Question 11

The Ainslie-Rachlin Model of Self-Control

Answer 11

Preference can shift over time.

Experience a reversal of preference as time passes and smaller soomer reward becomes imminent.

Question 12

Commitment Response

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Behavioural Contracting

Answer 13

Formally arranges to attain certain rewards for resisting temptation or receive certain punishers for yielding to temptation.

Question 14

The Small-but-Cumulative Effects Model

Answer 14

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