Mark R. Dixon

EFFECTS OF DIFFERING INSTRUCTIONAL HISTORIES ON THE RESURGENCE OF RULE-FOLLOWING

Attempts to explain differences between human and nonhuman sensitivity to changing contingencies have centered around humans’ language ability, and more specifically on instructional control. The present study was conducted to investigate the role of various histories of rule-governance on the resurgence of rule-following during extinction. Results illustrated that specific rule-following histories reduced trials to criterion and enhanced extinction induced resurgence, when compared to general rule-following or no rule-following histories. A concurrent verbal “think-aloud” procedure demonstrated that these results were caused not entirely by experimenter-provided rules, but also by subjects’ generation of self-rules. Implications for the utility of instructional control with human subjects and rule-governance more generally are discussed.

A computerized slot machine simulation to investigate the variables involved in gambling behavior

The present paper describes a computerized slot machine simulation designed to examine many of the potential variables involved in gambling behavior. This program was created in Visual Basic Version 6.0 and is designed to run on any Windows 95 or higher equipped computer. The program allows for experimenter manipulation of probabilities of payoffs, visual display of potential winning symbols, exact sequences of wins and losses, as well as pose run time questions to the subject on prespecified trials. The program records data on a trial-bytrial basis to a text file for easy importation into many data analysis and statistical programs. Conceptual and experimental questions that may be addressed with the described program are also discussed.

Engaging in “Illusory Control” during Repeated Risk-Taking

Risk-taking behavior occurs when an individual chooses to engage in a game of chance. Although the outcomes of these games are completely random, many individuals believe that they can exercise some control over the outcomes. The present study examined the extent to which five undergraduate roulette players would pay additional money for opportunities to engage in an illusory activity that had no influence on the games outcome, i.e., choosing random numbers rather than having the experimenter choose them. All five subjects engaged in this type of activity, and the extent to which they did was linearly related to the players winnings. These findings may suggest why people continue to gamble when the odds of winning are against them.

Stimulus Equivalence and The Blocking Effect

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the blocking effect within the context of a stimulus equivalence paradigm. Ten subjects were provided with a prior history of matching unitary sample stimuli to unitary comparisons. Next, the same stimuli appeared as elements of sample stimulus compounds with additional, redundant elements. During the equivalence test, the elements of each compound were separated, and the extent to which the elements had entered separately into equivalence relations with the other stimuli was examined. Five subjects demonstrated the formation of three three-member equivalence classes and showed a strong blocking effect. The other five subjects did not demonstrate the formation of three-member classes, nor did they show a strong blocking effect. The strength of the relations between the elements of each stimulus compound was shown to be consistent with the degree to which the blocking effect was observed. Subjects’ percentage reinforcement estimates were also found to correspond to their performance during the equivalence test. The overt verbal behavior emitted by four subjects who were required to talk aloud during the experiment did not correlate with their nonverbal performance.

Causal Constructs and Conceptual Confusions

Behavior analysts take the position that prediction and control constitute the goals of science. This assumption has resulted in descriptive operations being overlooked and misunderstood. Among the most serious of these misunderstandings is the confusion of events with descriptive constructions. Confusion is likely when the events described present problems of observation, when they appear to resemble our descriptions of them, and when they are taken to be synonymous with our reactions to them. Examples of confusing events with their descriptions are examined in the context of the radical behavioral interpretation of causality, along with their implications for a scientific understanding. An alternative interpretation of causal knowledge is suggested.

A POSSIBLE ADJUSTING PROCEDURE FOR STUDYING OUTCOMES OF RISK-TAKING '

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the role of consequences in the maintenance and termination of risk-taking behavior. In 1987 Ladouceur, Mayrand, and Tourigny proposed a quantitative measure of risk-taking based on roulette playing, but this metric did not include the outcome of that risk. Therefore, their original equation may be adjusted to incorporate a concurrent analysis of the consequences of risk-taking to understand better individual differences with respect to risk-taking behavior. An experiment with six subjects, 3 experienced and 3 inexperienced, who played roulette was used to evaluate the accuracy of the equations predictions. Replication with a much larger sample is required to substantiate the suggestion that this adjustment would be more accurate than the original equation in predicting future risk-taking.

Transitioning the Elderly into Long-Term Care Facilities: A Search for Solutions

Abstract An increasing number of elders will be moving into long-term care facilities in the coming decades. This review identifies a number of factors that predict the degree to which an individuals adjustment to his or her new environment will be successful. In addition, a number of potential interventions are described which may help to alleviate some of the difficulties elders may experience upon relocation.

A Regression Model of Subjective Probability

The present study was conducted to examine if the cognitive representation of subjective probability could be better objectified. Subjects were required to play a commercial slot machine and afterwards make an estimation as to the machines percentage of payback. A linear regression analysts indicated that such a subjective probability estimation is developed by a combination of the number of coins played, the number of coins won, and the number of winning games. These findings suggest that examining such environmental variables may provide an explanation for the development of subjective probabilities.