Question 1 of 20
Experiments have shown that in situations where optimization theory predicts one behavior and the
matching law predicts another:
A. animals usually behave as the matching law predicts.
B. animals usually behave as optimization theory predicts.
C. animals shift back and forth, sometimes following the matching law and sometimes
optimization theory.
D. people follow the matching law but animals do not.
Question 2 of 20
5.0 Points
In phase 1 of a choice experiment involving concurrent VI schedules, a human subject receives 25%
of his reinforcers by making a left response. In phase 2, he receives 75% of his reinforcers by
making a left response. The subject's percentage of left responses is 40% in phase 1, and 60% in
phase 2. This performance is an example of:
A. matching.
B. undermatching.
C. overmatching.
D. bias.
Question 3 of 20
5.0 Points
In a self-control choice situation where the actual reinforcers are visible during a delay, both children
and animals are more likely to choose the __________ reinforcer.
A. smaller, more immediate
B. medium, more immediate
C. medium, delayed
D. larger, delayed
Question 4 of 20
5.0 Points
__________ can happen if subjects get in the habit of switching between two options, which can be
accidentally reinforced if a reinforcer is given immediately after a subject switches.
A. Tragedy of the commons
B. Bias
C. Overmatching
D. Undermatching
Question 5 of 20
5.0 Points
Cases in which people choose a small immediate reinforcer instead of a larger delay reinforcer can
be viewed as evidence:
A. against optimization theory.
B. against momentary maximizing theory.
C. against the Ainslie-Rachlin theory.
D. supporting optimization theory.Reset Selection
Question 6 of 20
5.0 Points
An individual must make a choice between a small reinforcer and a larger but more delayed
reinforcer. If the individual is forced to make a commitment well in advance of when the options will
be delivered, the individual will be:
A. more unpredictable.
B. more likely to choose the small reinforcer.
C. more likely to choose the large reinforcer.
D. None of the above
Question 7 of 20
5.0 Points
In phase 1 of a choice experiment involving concurrent VI schedules, a human subject receives 25%
of his reinforcers by making a left response. In phase 2, he receives 75% of his reinforcers by
making a left response. The subject's percentage of left responses is 15% in phase 1, and 81% in
phase 2. This performance is an example of:
A. matching.
B. undermatching.
C. overmatching.
D. bias.