title: A problem with using derivatives to explain the matching law.
abstract: Herrnstein (1979) recently claimed that the matching law could be derived from an ordinary differential equation. He failed, however, to analyze the dynamic properties of his proposed equation. I show that it implies behavior cannot stabilize in accordance with the matching law. Consequently, Herrnstein's equation cannot explain why matching behavior has been widely observed.
authors.affiliation: Economics Dept., 164 FOB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Heiner