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. 1971 Mar;15(2):249-51.
doi: 10.1901/jeab.1971.15-249.

On the tautology of the matching law

H Rachlin

On the tautology of the matching law

H Rachlin. J Exp Anal Behav. 1971 Mar.

Abstract

The generalized matching law, that organisms divide their time between alternatives in proportion to the value of the reinforcement consequent on the choice, is derivable from the assumption that an organism choosing between alternatives is under no constraints except those the contingencies of reinforcement impose. Hence, the law is not subject to empirical test. Its value lies in its simple codification of assumptions underlying choice experiments.

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