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ON TWO TYPES OF DEVIATION FROM THE MATCHING LAW: BIAS AND UNDERMATCHING

ON TWO TYPES OF DEVIATION FROM THE MATCHING LAW: BIAS AND UNDERMATCHING Data on choice generally conform closely to an equation of the form: log(B1/B2) = a log(r1/r2) + log k, where B1 and B2 are the frequencies of responding at Alternatives 1 and 2, r1 and r2 are the obtained reinforcement from Alternatives 1 and 2, and a and k are empirical constants. When a and k equal one, this equation is equivalent to the matching relation: B1/B2 = r1/r2. Two types of deviation from matching can occur with this formulation: a and k not equal to one. In some experiments, a systematically falls short of one. This deviation is undermatching. The reasons for undermatching are obscure at present. Some evidence suggests, however, that factors favoring discrimination also favor matching. Matching (a = 1) may represent the norm in choice when discrimination is maximal. When k differs from one, its magnitude indicates the degree of bias in choice. The generalized matching law predicts that bias should take this form (adding a constant proportion of responding to the favored alternative). Data from a variety of experiments indicate that it generally does. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior Wiley

ON TWO TYPES OF DEVIATION FROM THE MATCHING LAW: BIAS AND UNDERMATCHING

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References (25)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
1974 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
ISSN
0022-5002
eISSN
1938-3711
DOI
10.1901/jeab.1974.22-231
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Data on choice generally conform closely to an equation of the form: log(B1/B2) = a log(r1/r2) + log k, where B1 and B2 are the frequencies of responding at Alternatives 1 and 2, r1 and r2 are the obtained reinforcement from Alternatives 1 and 2, and a and k are empirical constants. When a and k equal one, this equation is equivalent to the matching relation: B1/B2 = r1/r2. Two types of deviation from matching can occur with this formulation: a and k not equal to one. In some experiments, a systematically falls short of one. This deviation is undermatching. The reasons for undermatching are obscure at present. Some evidence suggests, however, that factors favoring discrimination also favor matching. Matching (a = 1) may represent the norm in choice when discrimination is maximal. When k differs from one, its magnitude indicates the degree of bias in choice. The generalized matching law predicts that bias should take this form (adding a constant proportion of responding to the favored alternative). Data from a variety of experiments indicate that it generally does.

Journal

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of BehaviorWiley

Published: Jul 1, 1974

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