Current research on operant choice (which uses both humans and other animals as subjects) is here related to current research on human decision. The bridge between the two spheres of research is a translation of the concept of probability of outcome (directly experienced or verbally expressed) into operant terms--delay of reinforcement or punishment (as schedules or as discriminative stimuli for schedules). A consequence of this translation is that inconsistencies of choice (as expressed by failure of behavior to confirm to the axioms of probability theory) may be viewed in terms of self control or its lack (where lack of self control, in turn, is a failure to choose a delayed but larger reinforcer over an alcohol and drug abuse, may be seen as failure of self control, the proposed research is directly relevant to mental health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH044049-04
Application #
3383490
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRCM (BP))
Project Start
1989-05-01
Project End
1994-04-30
Budget Start
1992-05-01
Budget End
1993-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
Locey, Matthew L; Jones, Bryan A; Rachlin, Howard (2011) Real and hypothetical rewards. Judgm Decis Mak 6:552-564
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Rachlin, Howard; Jones, Bryan A (2008) Altruism among relatives and non-relatives. Behav Processes 79:120-3
Rachlin, Howard (2007) In what sense are addicts irrational? Drug Alcohol Depend 90 Suppl 1:S92-9
Rachlin, Howard (2007) Free will from the viewpoint of teleological behaviorism. Behav Sci Law 25:235-50
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