An application of the matching law to social dynamics

Abstract

Using a procedure similar to the one described by Conger and Killeen (1974), we evaluated levels of attending for 25 college students who participated in either a 20-min (n = 12) or 30-min (n = 13) discussion on juvenile delinquency. Confederates delivered statements of agreement (e.g., "I agree with that point") according to independent variable-interval schedules. Pooled results were evaluated using three generalized formulations of the matching law, and showed that matching was more likely during the first 5 min of the discussion than during the last 5 min. Individual data for 7 of 9 participants were better described by the generalized response-rate matching equation than by the generalized time-allocation matching equation when response allocation was characterized in terms of frequency rather than duration.

Figure 1

The left column depicts pooled data for all participants during the first 5 min of the discussion according to Equations 2, 3, and 4 (from top to bottom). The middle column depicts pooled data for all participants during the last 5 min of the discussion according to Equations 2, 3, and 4 (from top to bottom). The right column depicts pooled data for all participants during the entire 20- or 30-min discussion according to Equations 2, 3, and 4 (from top to bottom). Dashed diagonal lines represent perfect matching, and solid lines represent best fit lines.

Figure 2

Data depicted according to Equations 2 and 3 for 4 participants whose data were selected for further analysis. All data are for participants who completed the 30-min discussion. Dashed diagonal lines represent perfect matching, and solid lines represent best fit lines.

Figure 3

Data depicted according to Equations 2 and 3 for 5 participants whose data were selected for further analysis. All data are for participants who completed the 30-min discussion. Dashed diagonal lines represent perfect matching, and solid lines represent best fit lines.