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Positive reinforcement, the matching law and morality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

William A. McKim
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada, A1B 3X9. bmckim@play.psych.mun.ca

Abstract

Addictive behavior has never seemed rational because it persists in spite of drastic aversive consequences. This is a particular problem for models of addiction such as operant psychology which hold that behavior is controlled by its consequences. Inspite of claims to the contrary, Heymans target article illustrates how operant psychology resolves this contradiction. By using the matching law, Heyman suggests a mechanism that explains why delayed aversive events may not control behavior, and a conceptual framework in which we can understand successful therapies.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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