Instructions are included
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Respond to at least two (2) peers with 100 words as the minimum peer response
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APA format in-text citations and references
Peer 1: Patyn
The matching law, introduced by R.J. Herrnstein, says that we tend to spend our time on activities that give us the most rewards. This idea can be seen in many daily choices, like deciding between doing homework and watching TV, working out or relaxing, or focusing on a project versus scrolling through social media.
Take my daily life, for example. When I need to choose between studying and watching TV, the rewards for studying might be better grades, feeling accomplished, and long-term career benefits. Watching TV, on the other hand, offers immediate entertainment and relaxation. According to the matching law, if I think studying will give me more or better rewards, I’m more likely to study. But if TV seems more fun right now, I might go for that instead.
Impulse control is key here. It’s about resisting short-term temptations to achieve long-term goals. For example, choosing to study instead of watching TV requires impulse control because it means prioritizing long-term academic success over immediate fun.
Some strategies to keep impulse control in check include precommitment, self-monitoring, and boosting rewards for good behavior. Precommitment involves deciding ahead of time, such as setting specific times for studying and removing distractions, making it easier to stick to your plans. Self-monitoring means keeping track of how much time you spend on different activities to make you more aware of your choices. For example, using a timer to limit TV time and tracking study hours can help balance fun and productive activities. Boosting rewards for doing the right thing can also help tip the scales. For instance, treating yourself after a productive study session can make studying more rewarding.
These strategies, discussed in various studies and books, can help manage impulse control and make better choices based on the matching law (Billington & DiTommaso, 2003).
Reference:
Billington, E., & DiTommaso, N. (2003). The matching law in human choice contexts.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36(4), 1-17.
Peer 2: Jeanette
Billington & DiTommaso (2003) state that matching law motions a more comprehensive explanation of behavior by recognizing that individuals function within an environment containing multiple sources of reinforcement. Behaviors will go towards what is more reinforcing. To put this into descriptions from my day to day tasks with regards to concurrent reinforcement schedules, my multitasking is the first thought that comes to mind. I maintain a pretty fluid multitasking schedule at almost all times, as I type this my Siberian husky is looking at me waiting patiently for me to feed her, while the Alexa timer is going off because my sun tea has been sitting outside and is ready to come in. Vixen, our dog, is 30 minutes early for dinner so that she will wait and the sun tea can sit for another hour so I plan on wrapping this discussion first. My desire to finish homework that has piled up since I’ve been sick from traveling is more reinforcing. If I was thirsty, however, my reinforcement for a fresh cup of tea would come first then back to my homework. To identify examples of impulse control, speaking on the dog, she is very independent and does not like to cuddle. In the event if she hopped up next to me and wanted attention I would stop and give her scratches behind the ear. She is extra wooly for a husky, so impulsively I will reach out to love on her for attention and sensory reasons taking my attention away from homework. In regards to strategies that may explain how control is maintained, incentive-based is more pressing at the moment (Bouton, 2018). I’m focusing on homework because I need good grades to continue my education path. However, at times my reinforcers will align and I can listen to homework while giving my dog attention simultaneously.
Billington, E., & DiTommaso, N. M. (2003). Demonstrations and Applications of the Matching Law in Education.
Journal of Behavioral Education,
12(2), 91–104.
Bouton, M. E. (2018).
Learning and behavior: A contemporary synthesis (2nd ed.). Sinauer Associates.
