Work

On the Tautology of the Matching Law1

Year: 1971

Type: article

Abstract: The generalized matching law, that organisms divide their time between alternatives in proportion to the value of the reinforcement consequent on the choice, is derivable from the assumption that an organism choosing between alternatives is under no constraints except those the contingencies of reinforcement impose. Hence, the law is not subject to empirical test. Its value lies in its simple codification of assumptions underlying choice experiments.

Source: Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

DOI: 10.1901/jeab.1971.15-249

Author: Howard Rachlin

Institution: Stony Brook University

Language: English

Topic: Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Subfield: General Decision Sciences

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2015964419

FWCI: 5.259

Cites: 8

Cited by: 270

Related to: 10