Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1984 Nov;42(3):421–434. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.42-421

Quantitative analysis

John A Nevin
PMCID: PMC1348113  PMID: 16812400

Abstract

Quantitative analysis permits the isolation of invariant relations in the study of behavior. The parameters of these relations can serve as higher-order dependent variables in more extensive analyses. These points are illustrated by reference to quantitative descriptions of performance maintained by concurrent schedules, multiple schedules, and signal-detection procedures. Such quantitative descriptions of empirical data may be derived from mathematical theories, which in turn can lead to novel empirical analyses so long as their terms refer to behavioral and environmental events. Thus, quantitative analysis is an integral aspect of the experimental analysis of behavior.

Keywords: concurrent schedules, multiple schedules, signal detection, generalized matching, sensitivity, bias, invariance, mathematical theory

Full text

PDF
425

Selected References

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

  1. Allen C. M. Comment on Houston's arguments. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Jul;38(1):113–114. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.38-113. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Allen C. M. On the exponent in the "generalized" matching equation. J Exp Anal Behav. 1981 Jan;35(1):125–127. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.35-125. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Allison J. Contrast, induction, facilitation, suppression, and conservation. J Exp Anal Behav. 1976 Mar;25(2):185–198. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1976.25-185. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Baum W. M. Choice, changeover, and travel. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Jul;38(1):35–49. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.38-35. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Baum W. M. Matching, undermatching, and overmatching in studies of choice. J Exp Anal Behav. 1979 Sep;32(2):269–281. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1979.32-269. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. 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]
  7. Baum W. M. Optimization and the matching law as accounts of instrumental behavior. J Exp Anal Behav. 1981 Nov;36(3):387–403. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.36-387. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Baum W. M. The correlation-based law of effect. J Exp Anal Behav. 1973 Jul;20(1):137–153. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1973.20-137. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Buskist W. F., Bennett R. H., Miller H. L. Effects of instructional constraints on human fixed-interval performance. J Exp Anal Behav. 1981 Mar;35(2):217–225. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.35-217. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Carter D. E., Werner T. J. Complex learning and information processing by pigeons: a critical analysis. J Exp Anal Behav. 1978 May;29(3):565–601. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1978.29-565. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Catania A. C. Self-inhibiting effects of reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1973 May;19(3):517–526. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1973.19-517. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Charman L., Davison M. On the effects of food deprivation and component reinforcer rates on multiple-schedule performance. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Nov;40(3):239–251. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.40-239. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Davison M. C., Hunter I. W. Performance on variable-interval schedules arranged singly and concurrently. J Exp Anal Behav. 1976 May;25(3):335–345. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1976.25-335. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Davison M. C., Tustin R. D. The relation between the generalized matching law and signal-detection theory. J Exp Anal Behav. 1978 Mar;29(2):331–336. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1978.29-331. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Davison M. Bias and sensitivity to reinforcement in a concurrent-chain schedule. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Jul;40(1):15–34. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.40-15. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Davison M. Preference in concurrent variable-interval fixed-ratio schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Jan;37(1):81–96. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.37-81. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Donahoe J. W. Some implications of a relational principle of reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1977 Mar;27(2):341–350. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1977.27-341. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Fantino E., Davison M. Choice: Some quantitative relations. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Jul;40(1):1–13. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.40-1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Findley J. D. Preference and Switching under Concurrent Scheduling. J Exp Anal Behav. 1958 Apr;1(2):123–144. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1958.1-123. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Herrnstein R. J. On the law of effect. J Exp Anal Behav. 1970 Mar;13(2):243–266. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1970.13-243. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Hinson J. M., Staddon J. E. Matching, maximizing, and hill-climbing. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Nov;40(3):321–331. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.40-321. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Houston A. I., McNamara J. How to maximize reward rate on two variable-interval paradigms. J Exp Anal Behav. 1981 May;35(3):367–396. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.35-367. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Houston A. I. The case against Allen's generalization of the matching law. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Jul;38(1):109–111. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.38-109. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Hursh S. R. The economics of daily consumption controlling food- and water-reinforced responding. J Exp Anal Behav. 1978 May;29(3):475–491. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1978.29-475. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Killeen P. R. Incentive theory: II. Models for choice. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Sep;38(2):217–232. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.38-217. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Lander D. G., Irwin R. J. Multiple schedules: effects of the distribution of reinforcements between component on the distribution of responses between conponents. J Exp Anal Behav. 1968 Sep;11(5):517–524. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1968.11-517. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Lobb B., Davison M. C. Multiple and concurrent schedule performance: independence from concurrent and successive schedule contexts. J Exp Anal Behav. 1977 Jul;28(1):27–39. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1977.28-27. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Lowe C. F., Beasty A., Bentall R. P. The role of verbal behavior in human learning: infant performance on fixed-interval schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Jan;39(1):157–164. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-157. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Lowe C. F., Harzem P., Spencer P. T. Temporal control of behavior and the power law. J Exp Anal Behav. 1979 May;31(3):333–343. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1979.31-333. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Matthews B. A., Shimoff E., Catania A. C., Sagvolden T. Uninstructed human responding: sensitivity to ratio and interval contingencies. J Exp Anal Behav. 1977 May;27(3):453–467. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1977.27-453. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. McCarthy D., Davison M. Independence of sensitivity to relative reinforcement rate and discriminability in signal detection. J Exp Anal Behav. 1980 Nov;34(3):273–284. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1980.34-273. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. McCarthy D., Davison M. Towards a behavioral theory of bias in signal detection. Percept Psychophys. 1981 Apr;29(4):371–382. doi: 10.3758/bf03207347. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. McDowell J. J. An analytic comparison of Herrnstein's equations and a multivariate rate equation. J Exp Anal Behav. 1980 May;33(3):397–408. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1980.33-397. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. McLean A. P., White K. G. Temporal constraint on choice: Sensitivity and bias in multiple schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 May;39(3):405–426. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-405. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Nevin J. A., Baum W. M. Feedback functions for variable-interval reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1980 Sep;34(2):207–217. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1980.34-207. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Nevin J. A., Mandell C., Atak J. R. The analysis of behavioral momentum. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Jan;39(1):49–59. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-49. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Nevin J. A., Olson K., Mandell C., Yarensky P. Differential reinforcement and signal detection. J Exp Anal Behav. 1975 Nov;24(3):355–367. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1975.24-355. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Nevin J. A. Response strength in multiple schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1974 May;21(3):389–408. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1974.21-389. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1969.12-475. [DOI] [PMC free article] [Google Scholar]
  40. Prelec D. The assumptions underlying the generalized matching law. J Exp Anal Behav. 1984 Jan;41(1):101–107. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.41-101. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. REYNOLDS G. S. On some determinants of choice in pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav. 1963 Jan;6:53–59. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1963.6-53. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. REYNOLDS G. S. Some limitations on behavioral contrast and induction during successive discrimination. J Exp Anal Behav. 1963 Jan;6:131–139. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1963.6-131. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Rachlin H. A molar theory of reinforcement schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1978 Nov;30(3):345–360. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1978.30-345. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. SKINNER B. F. Are theories of learning necessary? Psychol Rev. 1950 Jul;57(4):193–216. doi: 10.1037/h0054367. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. SWETS J., TANNER W. P., Jr, BIRDSALL T. G. Decision processes in perception. Psychol Rev. 1961 Sep;68:301–340. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Schneider B. A. A two-state analysis of fixed-interval responding in the pigeon. J Exp Anal Behav. 1969 Sep;12(5):677–687. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1969.12-677. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Shimp C. P. Probabilistically reinforced choice behavior in pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav. 1966 Jul;9(4):443–455. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1966.9-443. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Sidman M., Tailby W. Conditional discrimination vs. matching to sample: an expansion of the testing paradigm. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 Jan;37(1):5–22. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.37-5. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Staddon J. E., Hinson J. M., Kram R. Optimal choice. J Exp Anal Behav. 1981 May;35(3):397–412. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1981.35-397. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Staddon J. E. On Herrnstein's equation and related forms. J Exp Anal Behav. 1977 Sep;28(2):163–170. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1977.28-163. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Todorov J. C., de Oliveira Castro J. M., Hanna E. S., Bittencourt de Sa M. C., Barreto M. Q. Choice, experience, and the generalized matching law. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Sep;40(2):99–111. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.40-99. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Wearden J. H. Undermatching and overmatching as deviations from the matching law. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Nov;40(3):333–340. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.40-333. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. White K. G., Pipe M. E., McLean A. P. Stimulus and reinforcer relativity in multiple schedules: Local and dimensional effects on sensitivity to reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1984 Jan;41(1):69–81. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.41-69. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Williams B. A. Another look at contrast in multiple schedules. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 Mar;39(2):345–384. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-345. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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

RESOURCES