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Choice, Matching, and Human Behavior: A Review of the Literature

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Abstract

This review concerns human performance on concurrent schedules of reinforcement. Studies indicate that humans match relative behavior to relative rate of reinforcement. Herrnstein’s proportional matching equation describes human performance but most studies do not evaluate the equation at the individual level. Baum’s generalized matching equation has received strong support with humans as subjects. This equation permits the investigation of sources of deviation from ideal matching and a few studies have suggested variables which control such deviations in humans. While problems with instructional control are raised, the overall findings support the matching law as a principle of human choice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1

    W. David Pierce

  2. Department of Sociology, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1

    W. Frank Epling

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  1. W. David Pierce
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  2. W. Frank Epling
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Pierce, W.D., Epling, W.F. Choice, Matching, and Human Behavior: A Review of the Literature. BEHAV ANALYST 6, 57–76 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391874

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