Choice, Matching, and Human Behavior: A Review of the Literature

Pierce, W. David; Epling, W. Frank

doi:10.1007/bf03391874

Cited by 111 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…However, when all sources of reinforcement were included in the analysis, the matching law provided an accurate description of response allocation for all participants. It is possible that deviations from matching with humans (see Pierce & Epling, 1983, for a review) may be explained by additional variables (i.e., reinforcers) that were not taken into account.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Application of the Matching Law to Severe Problem Behavior

Borrero

Vollmer

2002

J of App Behav Analysis

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We evaluated problem behavior and appropriate behavior using the matching equation with 4 individuals with developmental disabilities. Descriptive observations were conducted during interactions between the participants and their primary care providers in either a clinical laboratory environment (3 participants) or the participant's home (1 participant). Data were recorded on potential reinforcers, problem behavior, and appropriate behavior. After identifying the reinforcers that maintained each participant's problem behavior by way of functional analysis, the descriptive data were analyzed retrospectively, based on the matching equation. Results showed that the proportional rate of problem behavior relative to appropriate behavior approximately matched the proportional rate of reinforcement for problem behavior for all participants. The results extend prior research because a functional analysis was conducted and because multiple sources of reinforcement (other than attention) were evaluated. Methodological constraints were identified, which may limit the application of the matching law on both practical and conceptual levels.DESCRIPTORS: matching, descriptive analysis, severe problem behavior, functional analysis Choice may be defined as the emission of one of two or more alternative and usually incompatible responses (Catania, 1998). In operant laboratories, choice has been evaluated typically in concurrent-schedule arrangements (e.g., Herrnstein, 1961) under which two or more schedules operate simultaneously but independently, and consequences are delivered for different response alternatives. Herrnstein provided a quantitative description of behavior on concurrent schedules of reinforcement now known as the matching law. The matching law states that organisms will distribute their behavior

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Application of the Matching Law to Severe Problem Behavior

Borrero

Vollmer

2002

J of App Behav Analysis

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“…Myerson & Hale, 1984 A discussion of ways in which the matching law may be applied to practice. Pierce & Epling, 1983 A review of human operant matching law studies. Pierce & Epling, 1995 A discussion on the applied importance of the matching law.…”

Section: Mcdowell 1981mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Matching Law: A Tutorial for Practitioners

Reed

Kaplan

2011

Behav Analysis Practice

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The application of the matching law has historically been limited to use as a quantitative measurement tool in the experimental analysis of behavior to describe temporally extended patterns of behavior-environment relations. In recent years, however, applications of the matching law have been translated to clinical settings and populations to gain a better understanding of how naturally-occurring events affect socially important behaviors. This tutorial provides a brief background of the conceptual foundations of matching, an overview of the various matching equations that have been used in research, and a description of how to interpret the data derived from these equations in the context of numerous examples of matching analyses conducted with socially important behavior. An appendix of resources is provided to direct readers to primary sources, as well as useful articles and books on the topic. Keywords: choice, equations, matching law, molar analysis, tutorial ABSTRACT B

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“…Two important factors in choice are the reinforcing value (i.e., motivating value) of, and access to, the alternatives [4]. One way that reinforcing value of a behavior is measured is by preference, in effect, the relative amount of motivated responding the individual is willing to engage in to gain access to one of two alternatives [5][6][7]. A highly reinforcing behavior will support relatively more responding to obtain the behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of liking and reinforcing value with children's physical activity

Roemmich

Barkley

Lobarinas

et al. 2008

Physiology & Behavior

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Roemmich, J.N., J.E. Barkley, L.H. Epstein, C.L. Lobarinas, J.H. Foster, and T.M. White: Association of Liking and Reinforcing Value with Children's Physical Activity. Physiol Behav 00 (0) 000-000, 2007 -This study determined whether liking and relative reinforcing value (RRV) of physical activity were associated with time youth spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Boys (n = 21) and girls (n = 15) age 8 to 12 years were measured for height, weight, aerobic fitness, liking and RRV of physical activity, and minutes in MVPA using accelerometers. Independence of liking and RRV of physical activity was established by a low correlation (r = 0.08, p = 0.64). Using MVPA as the dependent variable and hierarchical regression to control for individual differences in age, aerobic fitness, and time the accelerometer was worn in step 1 (R 2 of 0.60 for step 1), addition of liking and RRV of physical activity in step 2 produced an incremental increase in R 2 of 0.12 (p < 0.01). When using median splits of the RRV and liking data to form subject groups, children with both a high liking and RRV of physical activity participated in greater (p ≤ 0.02) MVPA (1340 ± 70 min/week) than children with high RRV-low liking (1040 ± 95 min/week), low RRVhigh liking (978 ± 88 min/week), or low RRV-low liking (1007 ± 68 min/week) of physical activity. Thus, liking and RRV of physical activity are independently associated with MVPA. The combination of a high reinforcing value and liking of physical activity is associated with 33% greater participation in MVPA.

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Choice, Matching, and Human Behavior: A Review of the Literature

Cited by 111 publications

References 47 publications

An Application of the Matching Law to Severe Problem Behavior

An Application of the Matching Law to Severe Problem Behavior

The Matching Law: A Tutorial for Practitioners

Association of liking and reinforcing value with children's physical activity

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