Matching, induction, and covariance with mixed response-contingent food and noncontingent food.

Abstract

The multiscale molar view of behavior is based on three basic laws of behavior: the Law of Allocation, the Law of Induction, and the Law of Covariance. Experiments that mix response-contingent food with noncontingent food shed light on these three laws. Food, like other phylogenetically important events, induces various activities that compete in allocation. Quantitative accounts represent induction with power functions. These power functions define activities' competitive weights, and relative time allocation among activities matches relative competitive weight. Behavior-food covariance determines which activities are induced. Phylogenetic (behavior-fitness) covariance determines which adjunctive activities are induced. Ontogenetic covariance may be represented in feedback functions. Feedback functions for variable-interval schedules may be observed even when overlaid by noncontingent food deliveries. Equations derived from the three laws describe responding in experiments with mixed response-contingent and noncontingent food. Equations derived here accounted for responding in three data sets: (a) from Rachlin and Baum(1972); (b) a new data set in which overall food rate was fixed while the proportion of response-contingent and noncontingent food varied; and (c) a new data set in which food occurred according to various variable-interval schedules. The same pigeons served throughout. All results were accommodated by the derived equations.