Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 13 November 1981:
Vol. 214. no. 4522, pp. 823 - 825
DOI: 10.1126/science.7292017
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Science, Vol 214, Issue 4522, 823-825
Copyright © 1981 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Optimization theory fails to predict performance of pigeons in a two-response situation

JE Mazur

Optimization theory states that organisms behave in a way that maximizes reinforcement or "value." In a two-response situation, pigeons' response proportions approximately equaled reinforcement proportions, even when this behavior pattern substantially decreased the rate of reinforcement. Optimization or reinforcement maximization was not supported as the basic mechanism underlying choice behavior.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Optimization: a result or a mechanism?.
J. Staddon and J. Hinson (1983)
Science 221, 976-977
   PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)