Abstract
Recent trends in behavioral ecology and behavior analysis suggest that the two disciplines complement one another, underscoring the desirability of an integrated approach to behavior. Three examples from the foraging literature illustrate the potential value of an interdisciplinary approach. For example, a model of natural selection for foraging efficiency—optimal foraging theory—makes several predictions consistent with an hypothesis of a more proximate phenomenon, the reduction in delay to primary reinforcement. Not only are the ecological and behavior analytic approaches to behavior complementary, but each may provide insights into the operation of controlling variables in situations usually thought of as being the other's domain.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- HERRNSTEIN R. J., LOVELAND D. H. COMPLEX VISUAL CONCEPT IN THE PIGEON. Science. 1964 Oct 23;146(3643):549–551. doi: 10.1126/science.146.3643.549. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hernstein R. J., Loveland D. H., Cable C. Natural concepts in pigeons. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process. 1976 Oct;2(4):285–302. doi: 10.1037//0097-7403.2.4.285. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hursh S. R. Economic concepts for the analysis of behavior. J Exp Anal Behav. 1980 Sep;34(2):219–238. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1980.34-219. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ito M., Asaki K. Choice behavior of rats in a concurrent-chains schedule: Amount and delay of reinforcement. J Exp Anal Behav. 1982 May;37(3):383–392. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.37-383. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 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]
- doi: 10.1901/jeab.1974.21-183. [DOI] [PMC free article] [Google Scholar]
- Rashotte M. E., O'Connell J. M., Beidler D. L. Associative influence on the foraging behavior of pigeons (Columba livia). J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process. 1982 Apr;8(2):142–153. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Skinner B. F. The evolution of behavior. J Exp Anal Behav. 1984 Mar;41(2):217–221. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1984.41-217. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Skinner B. F. The phylogeny and ontogeny of behavior. Contingencies of reinforcement throw light on contingencies of survival in the evolution of behavior. Science. 1966 Sep 9;153(3741):1205–1213. doi: 10.1126/science.153.3741.1205. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Skinner B. F. The shaping of phylogenic behavior. J Exp Anal Behav. 1975 Jul;24(1):117–120. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1975.24-117. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]