Positive reinforcement, the matching law and morality

1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-588
Author(s):  
William A. McKim
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Addictive Behavior ◽  
Matching Law ◽  
Control Behavior ◽  
Operant Psychology ◽  
Aversive Events ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Law And Morality

AbstractAddictive behavior has never seemed rational because it persists in spite of drastic aversive consequences. This is a particular problem for models of addiction such as operant psychology which hold that behavior is controlled by its consequences. Inspite of claims to the contrary, Heymans target article illustrates how operant psychology resolves this contradiction. By using the matching law, Heyman suggests a mechanism that explains why delayed aversive events may not control behavior, and a conceptual framework in which we can understand successful therapies.

It still takes at least two to tango

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Siviy
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Feed Forward ◽  
Target Article

The target article provides a useful investigative model for studying social behaviors, but it falls short of establishing a more comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding complex social inter- actions. Social behaviors such as play involve a dynamic and complex interplay between two or more organisms. Even when feed-forward mechanisms are taken into account and the model is anchored to evolutionary theory, the utility of this model is still limited by the conspicuous absence of neurobiological theory and data.

Which behavioral consequences matter? The importance of frame of reference in explaining addiction

1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-610
Author(s):  
Gene M. Heyman
Keyword(s):  
Rate Control ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Reinforcement Rate ◽  
Matching Law ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Basic Difference ◽  
Behavioral Consequences ◽  
Target Article ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe target article emphasizes the relationship between a matching law-based theory of addiction and the disease model of addiction. In contrast, this response emphasizes the relationship between the matching law theory and other behavioral approaches to addiction. The basic difference, I argue, is that the matching law specifies that choice is governed by local reinforcement rates. In contrast, economics says that overall reinforcement rate controls choice, and for other approaches there are other measures or no clear prediction at all. The response also differs from the target article in that there is more emphasis on the finding that stimulus conditions determine whether choice is under local or overall reinforcement rate control.

scholarly journals THE (NON) DEFINITION OF AVERSIVE CONTROL IN BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Helena Leite Hunziker
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Analysis ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Response Probability ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Aversive Control ◽  
Control Behavior ◽  
Continuous Interaction ◽  
Definition Of

The Behavior Analysis literature describes two types of control: aversive and positive. A review of specialized publications revealed an objective definition of control through positive reinforcement, but no definition of aversive control. In this paper, we discuss the scientific meaning of the terms “control” and “aversive” from the viewpoint of behavior analysis. We focus on the relational probabilities between responses and stimuli that occur during the continuous interaction between organisms and the environment. The term “control” is assumed to mean that one event (the controlled one) is changed by the occurrence of another event (the controller). The aversiveness of the control is analyzed as a function of “operations” (addition and subtraction of the stimulus), their “effects” (the increase or decrease of the response probability) and the “nature of the stimulus” involved (aversive or appetitive). We conclude that an analysis of processes, operations, and the nature of the stimulus was unable to identify a factor common to all the behavioral relations defined as aversive. We consider that without clear criteria for classifying a control as aversive, it would be more parsimonious to talk about behavioral control without using the aversive/positive dichotomy. However, if this dichotomy is maintained, the development of an objective analysis of elicited (emotional) responses may offer a way to characterize the aversive/positive distinction. Key words: control; aversive control; positive control; behavior analysis; conceptual questions.

The Place of Behavior Therapy in Correction

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Silber
Keyword(s):  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Behavior Therapy ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Aversive Conditioning ◽  
Control Behavior ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
The Future

This paper reviews some of the behavior therapy techniques used to correct antisocial behavior. Descriptions of aversive conditioning and positive reinforcement techniques are given. It is probably only a matter of time before these techniques are extended to prisons or other institutional settings. Behav ior techniques must be carefully regulated, lest they be used as punishment. Advantages and objections can be classified as questions of ethics, longevity of effect, and economy of use. With careful and thoughtful control, behavior therapies hold promise for the future of correction.

How do people choose between local and global bookkeeping?

1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 574-575
Author(s):  
George Ainslie
Keyword(s):  
Addictive Behavior ◽  
Matching Law

AbstractThe matching law accounts for both addictive behavior and the usefulness of a person's evaluating choices in overall categories. To explain why overall bookkeeping, once learned, does not easily win out over local bookkeeping, another implication of matching is needed: intertemporal bargaining. The role of melioration, though probably important for new addiction is separate.

scholarly journals Anhedonia following mild traumatic brain injury in rats: A behavioral economic analysis of positive and negative reinforcement

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pelin Avcu ◽  
Ashley M. Fortress ◽  
Jennifer E. Fragale ◽  
Kevin M. Spiegler ◽  
Kevin C.H. Pang
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Negative Reinforcement ◽  
Behavioral Economic ◽  
Hedonic Value ◽  
Aversive Events ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
Lateral Fluid Percussion

AbstractPsychiatric disorders affect nearly 50% of individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Anhedonia is a major symptom of numerous psychiatric disorders and is a diagnostic criterion for depression. Recently, anhedonia has been divided into consummatory, motivational and decisional components, all of which may be affected differently in disease. Although anhedonia is typically assessed using positive reinforcement, the importance of stress in psychopathology suggests the study of negative reinforcement (removal or avoidance of aversive events) may be equally important. The present study investigated positive and negative reinforcement following a rat model of mild TBI (mTBI) using lateral fluid percussion. Hedonic value of and motivation for reinforcement was determined by behavioral economic analyses. Following mTBI, the hedonic value of avoiding foot shock was reduced. In contrast, the hedonic value of escaping foot shock or obtaining a sucrose pellet was not altered by mTBI. Moreover, neither motivation to avoid or escape foot shock nor motivation to acquire sucrose was modified by mTBI. Our results suggest that individuals experiencing mTBI may experience more stress because of poor proactive control of stress resulting from reduced hedonic value of avoiding aversive events.

LPCD framework: Analytical tool or psychological model?

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Danks
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
Mathematical Framework ◽  
Bayesian Decision ◽  
Perceptual Decision Making ◽  
Psychological Model ◽  
Psychological Reality ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Bayesian Decision Making

AbstractThe target article uses a mathematical framework derived from Bayesian decision making to demonstrate suboptimal decision making but then attributes psychological reality to the framework components. Rahnev & Denison's (R&D) positive proposal thus risks ignoring plausible psychological theories that could implement complex perceptual decision making. We must be careful not to slide from success with an analytical tool to the reality of the tool components.

How Homo economicus lost her mind and how we can revive her

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter DeScioli
Keyword(s):  
Economic Thought ◽  
History Of Economic Thought ◽  
Homo Economicus ◽  
Economic Theories ◽  
Target Article ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mind ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractThe target article by Boyer & Petersen (B&P) contributes a vital message: that people have folk economic theories that shape their thoughts and behavior in the marketplace. This message is all the more important because, in the history of economic thought, Homo economicus was increasingly stripped of mental capacities. Intuitive theories can help restore the mind of Homo economicus.

Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily F. Wissel ◽  
Leigh K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Microbiome Research

Abstract The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

The sense of obligation is culturally modulated

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bender
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Studies ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Cultural Group ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Sense Of Obligation ◽  
Cross Cultural Studies

Abstract Tomasello argues in the target article that, in generalizing the concrete obligations originating from interdependent collaboration to one's entire cultural group, humans become “ultra-cooperators.” But are all human populations cooperative in similar ways? Based on cross-cultural studies and my own fieldwork in Polynesia, I argue that cooperation varies along several dimensions, and that the underlying sense of obligation is culturally modulated.

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