Relative allocation on concurrent schedules can depend on schedule parameters when behavioral parameters are constant

Abstract

We develop a simple model of switching between the initial links of a concurrent-chain procedure. Behavior is determined by four parameters mu(1), mu(2), q(1), and q(2). The first two are the basic rates of switching from Schedule 1 and Schedule 2, respectively. The second two are the probabilities of leaving Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 after the corresponding terminal link has been completed. We show that for fixed values of these four parameters, the relative allocation on the initial links may change as a result of changes in initial-link schedules. The effect can be quite large if the switching rates are low. An implication is that relative allocation is not necessarily a good measure of behavior.