If you use the power law of matching to estimate the quality of fit for a data set and find the estimate of coefficient a of less than 1 and the estimate of k greater than 1, the organism is showing:
A) Undermatching and too weak a preference for the target response.
B) Undermatching and too strong a preference for the target response
C) Overmatching and too weak a preference for the target response
D) Undermatching and too weak a preference for the target response

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The power law of matching suggests that when the estimate of coefficient a is less than 1, the organism is undermatching, meaning it is not responding as strongly to the differences in reinforcement rates as expected. When the estimate of k is greater than 1, it indicates a too strong preference for the target response, as k modulates the sensitivity to the reinforcement.

If You Use the Power Law of Matching to Estimate