Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 1994 Winter;27(4):585–596. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1994.27-585

Limited matching on concurrent-schedule reinforcement of academic behavior

F Charles Mace 1,2,3, Nancy A Neef 1,2,3, Doran Shade 1,2,3, Benjamin C Mauro 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC1297845  PMID: 16795839

Abstract

Three adolescent students with special educational needs were given a choice between completing one of two available sets of math problems. Reinforcers (nickels) across these alternatives were arranged systematically in separate experimental phases according to three different concurrent variable-interval schedules (reinforcement ratios of 2:1, 6:1, and 12:1). Time allocated to the two stacks of math problems stood in linear relationship to the reinforcement rate obtained from each stack, although substantial undermatching and bias were observed for all subjects. However, changes in the schedules were not followed by changes in allocation patterns until adjunct procedures (e.g., changeover delays, limited holds, timers, and demonstrations) were introduced. The necessity of adjunct procedures in establishing matching in applied situations is discussed as a limitation to quantitative applications of the matching law in applied behavior analysis.

Keywords: matching law, matching theory, concurrent schedules, limited matching, academic behavior, schedule discrimination

Full text

PDF
585

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Baum W. M. On two types of deviation from the matching law: bias and undermatching. J Exp Anal Behav. 1974 Jul;22(1):231–242. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1974.22-231. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Baum W. M. Time allocation in human vigilance. J Exp Anal Behav. 1975 Jan;23(1):45–53. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1975.23-45. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bradshaw C. M., Szabadi E., Bevan P. Behavior of humans in variable-interval schedules of reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1976 Sep;26(2):135–141. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1976.26-135. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bradshaw C. M., Szabadi E., Bevan P., Ruddle H. V. The effect of signaled reinforcement availability on concurrent performances in humans. J Exp Anal Behav. 1979 Jul;32(1):65–74. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1979.32-65. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Cliffe M. J., Parry S. J. Matching to reinforcer value: human concurrent variable-interval performance. Q J Exp Psychol. 1980 Nov;32(4):557–570. doi: 10.1080/14640748008401845. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. FLESHLER M., HOFFMAN H. S. A progression for generating variable-interval schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1962 Oct;5:529–530. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1962.5-529. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Fuqua R. W. Comments on the applied relevance of the matching law. J Appl Behav Anal. 1984 Fall;17(3):381–386. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1984.17-381. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. HERRNSTEIN R. J. Relative and absolute strength of response as a function of frequency of reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1961 Jul;4:267–272. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1961.4-267. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Hanna E. S., Blackman D. E., Todorov J. C. Stimulus effects on concurrent performance in transition. J Exp Anal Behav. 1992 Sep;58(2):335–347. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1992.58-335. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Hantula D. A. A simple BASIC program to generate values for variable-interval schedules of reinforcement. J Appl Behav Anal. 1991 Winter;24(4):799–801. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1991.24-799. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Hayes S. C., Brownstein A. J., Haas J. R., Greenway D. E. Instructions, multiple schedules, and extinction: Distinguishing rule-governed from schedule-controlled behavior. J Exp Anal Behav. 1986 Sep;46(2):137–147. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1986.46-137. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Horne P. J., Lowe C. F. Determinants of human performance on concurrent schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1993 Jan;59(1):29–60. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1993.59-29. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Mace F. C. Basic research needed for stimulating the development of behavioral technologies. J Exp Anal Behav. 1994 May;61(3):529–550. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1994.61-529. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Mace F. C., McCurdy B., Quigley E. A. A collateral effect of reward predicted by matching theory. J Appl Behav Anal. 1990 Summer;23(2):197–205. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1990.23-197. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Martens B. K., Houk J. L. The application of Herrnstein's law of effect to disruptive and on-task behavior of a retarded adolescent girl. J Exp Anal Behav. 1989 Jan;51(1):17–27. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1989.51-17. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Martens B. K., Lochner D. G., Kelly S. Q. The effects of variable-interval reinforcement on academic engagement: a demonstration of matching theory. J Appl Behav Anal. 1992 Spring;25(1):143–151. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-143. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Myerson J., Hale S. Practical implications of the matching law. J Appl Behav Anal. 1984 Fall;17(3):367–380. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1984.17-367. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Neef N. A. Effects of reinforcer rate and reinforcer quality on time allocation: Extensions of matching theory to educational settings. J Appl Behav Anal. 1992 Fall;25(3):691–699. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-691. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Neef N. A., Mace F. C., Shade D. Impulsivity in students with serious emotional disturbance: the interactive effects of reinforcer rate, delay, and quality. J Appl Behav Anal. 1993 Spring;26(1):37–52. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1993.26-37. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Neef N. A., Shade D., Miller M. S. Assessing influential dimensions of reinforcers on choice in students with serious emotional disturbance. J Appl Behav Anal. 1994 Winter;27(4):575–583. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1994.27-575. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Oscar-Berman M., Heyman G. M., Bonner R. T., Ryder J. Human neuropsychology: some differences between Korsakoff and normal operant performance. Psychol Res. 1980;41(2-3):235–247. doi: 10.1007/BF00308659. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Schmitt D. R. Effects of reinforcement rate and reinforcer magnitude on choice behavior of humans. J Exp Anal Behav. 1974 May;21(3):409–419. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1974.21-409. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Schroeder S. R., Holland J. G. Reinforcement of eye movement with concurrent schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1969 Nov;12(6):897–903. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1969.12-897. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Takahashi M., Iwamoto T. Human concurrent performances: The effects of experience, instructions, and schedule-correlated stimuli. J Exp Anal Behav. 1986 May;45(3):257–267. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1986.45-257. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis are provided here courtesy of Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

RESOURCES