FORMAL PROPERTIES OF THE MATCHING LAW¹

Abstract

The matching law implies that any form of behavior approaches an asymptotic frequency as its reinforcement approaches 100 per cent of the total reinforcement being obtained at a given time. This asymptote is formally independent of the kind or quantity of drive or reinforcement associated with the response in question or with any competing response.It has been repeatedly shown that animals (including human beings) distribute their behavior across alternatives according to the matching principle (Herrnstein, 1970(Herrnstein, , 1971

Sum of responding as a function of sum of reinforcement on two-key concurrent schedules

“…But Herrnstein's equation contains the additional R, parameter in the denominator. Two studies have already provided evidence for R, (Herrnstein, 1974;McSweeney, 1975). Additional evidence could be obtained in an experiment which replicated the present experiment with subjects maintained at several different percentages of their free-feeding weights.…”

“…The slope of that line equals Rs/k. The size of Rs/k should increase if R, increases, but k remains constant, as subjects become less hungry (Herrnstein, 1974;Herrnstein & Loveland, 1974).…”

“…Its size varies only with the subject and the topographical form of the response. Its size does not change with changes in reinforcement (Herrnstein, 1974). M is a parameter which describes how closely the component schedules are related.…”

“…R, is the rate of reinforcement which the subject obtains spontaneously, without responding. It is measured in reinforcers per time unit (Herrnstein, 1974). Its value may change as an orderly function of several variables.…”

Employing labor-supply theory to measure the reward value of electrical brain stimulation

“…8) is important. An allocation function widely used in operant conditioning work, the single-operant matching law (Herrnstein, 1970(Herrnstein, , 1974, is based on the assumption of perfect substitutability of work and leisure goods. The results in Fig.…”