See the erratum from March, 2003, 79, 174.
Palya, W. L., & Allan, R. W. (2003).
Dynamical concurrent schedules.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
79, 1-20.
Previous work on the matching law has predominantly focused on
the molar effects of the contingency by examining only one
reinforcer ratio for extended periods. Responses are distributed
as a function of reinforcer ratios under these static conditions.
But the outcome under a dynamic condition in which reinforcer
ratios change continuously has not been determined. The present
study implemented concurrent variable-interval schedules that
changed continuously across a fixed 5-min trial. The schedules
were reciprocally interlocked. The variable interval for one key
changed continuously from a variable-interval 15-s to a variable
interval 480-s, while the schedule for the other key changed from
a variable interval 480-s to a variable interval 15-s. This
dynamical concurrent schedule shifted behavior in the direction
of matching response ratios to reinforcer ratios. Sensitivities
derived from the generalized matching law were approximately
0.62, the mean absolute bias was approximately 0.11, and
r2 s were approximately 0.86. It was concluded
that choice behavior can come to adapt to reinforcer ratios that
change continuously over a relatively short time and that this
change does not require extensive experience with a fixed
reinforcer ratio. The results were seen as supportive of the view
that all behavior constitutes choice.
Key words: matching, choice, dynamics, concurrent, bipolar, keypeck, pigeons