An application of the matching law to social dynamics.
Using a procedure similar to the one described by Conger and Killeen (1974), we evaluated levels of attending for 25 college students who participated in either a 20-min (n = 12) or 30-min (n = 13) discussion on juvenile delinquency. Confederates delivered statements of agreement (e.g., "I agree with that point") according to independent variable-interval schedules. Pooled results were evaluated using three generalized formulations of the matching law, and showed that matching was more likely during the first 5 min of the discussion than during the last 5 min. Individual data for 7 of 9 participants were better described by the generalized response-rate matching equation than by the generalized time-allocation matching equation when response allocation was characterized in terms of frequency rather than duration.
Borrero
John C
JC
University of the Pacific, USA. jborrero@umbc.edu
Crisolo
Stephany S
SS
Tu
Qiuchen
Q
Rieland
Weston A
WA
Ross
Noël A
NA
Francisco
Monica T
MT
Yamamoto
Kenny Y
KY
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior