Matching is not an Emergent Property of the Operant Reserve Public

Abstract

Matching theory has been highly successful in describing behavior at equilibrium across a wide variety of live organisms. Despite this success, the dynamics from which equilibrium behavior emerge are not well understood. Numerous dynamic models of behavior have been proposed and while some have been successful in accounting for particular types of behavior, only recent advances in computational modeling, namely the McDowell (2004) model of selection by consequences, have produced results that account for a wide variety of behavior. Catania (2005) found that a computational model of the operant reserve (Skinner, 1938) produced realistic behavior in initial, exploratory analyses. Although Catania's operant reserve computational model demonstrated potential to simulate varied behavioral phenomena, the model was not systematically tested. The current project replicated the Catania model, clarified its capabilities through systematic testing, and determined the extent to which it produces behavior corresponding to matching theory. Significant departures from both classic and modern matching theory were found in model behavior across all conditions. The results suggest that a simple, dynamic operant model does not simulate realistic steady state behavior.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures I. Introduction....................................................................................1 II. Method........................................................................................14 III. Results........................................................................................20 IV. Discussion...................................................................................34 V. References...................................................................................44 VI. Tables.........................................................................................47 VII. Figure Captions..............................................................................53 VIII. Figures........................................................................................59

About this Dissertation

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Psychology
Degree	MA
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Behavioral Artificial Intelligence
Mot-clé	computational modeling experimental psychology operant reserve Skinner computer models of behavior AI artificial life
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	McDowell, Jack J, Emory University
Committee Members	Zeiler, Michael D, Emory University Hampton, Robert, Emory University Emory, Eugene, Emory University

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