[From Bruce Abbott (970904.2315 EST)]
Rick Marken (970904.0835) --
Ok. That was a pretty tough question. So how about answering
my easy question before I tackle the tough one. I'll make it
true/false so it's even easier for you:
Reinforcers (or some aspect thereof) are a controlled variable.
This is quite disingenuous of you: I already answered that question about
two posts ago, but you imply, contrary to fact, that I have been evading
your question. To repeat: With respect to the behavioral system that
produces the reinforcer, production of the reinforcer is a CV. With respect
to the control system I am discussing (the nutrient-control system), the
reinforcer plays a different role. When I said that the reinforcer was not
a CV, we were at that time discussing the nutrient-control system, not the
pellet-control system.
Regards,
Bruce
[From Rick Marken (970904.0835)]
Bruce Abbott asks:
What is is about consuming _food pellets_ that is so important?
I answer (with my usual, uncanny ability to keep the conversation
on the subject):
What's that got to do with whether the reinforcer is a
controlled variable?
Bruce Abbott answers (with his usual, uncanny ability to change
the subject in order to keep from having to reveal his
behaviorist proclivities):
See Bruce Gregory's answer. (Grade: F -- doesn't even know what
the question is.)
Ok. That was a pretty tough question. So how about answering
my easy question before I tackle the tough one. I'll make it
true/false so it's even easier for you:
Reinforcers (or some aspect thereof) are a controlled variable.
True or False
Good luck.
Rick
···
--
Richard S. Marken Phone or Fax: 310 474-0313
Life Learning Associates e-mail: rmarken@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~rmarken/
[From Rick Marken (970904.2200)]
Bruce Abbott (970904.2315 EST)]
This is quite disingenuous of you: I already answered that
question about two posts ago, but you imply, contrary to fact,
that I have been evading your question.
You keep changing the subject so I'm afraid I did miss that.
So it's all over then. Reinforcers are controlled variables;
they are not stengtheners. I think that it would be worth
mentioning (and demonstrating) this fact to your EAB pals.
And now we can stop using the misleading term "reinforcer"
(which implies a variable that controls behavior) to refer
to a variable that is controlled by behavior. And even if this
controlled variable plays a role in some other control system
(as, for example, control of grip configuration perception
plays a role in control of serve event perception) it will
never have the role of a reinforcer because there is no such
thing as a reinforcer in a control loop.
Best
Rick
···
--
Richard S. Marken Phone or Fax: 310 474-0313
Life Learning Associates e-mail: rmarken@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~rmarken/
[From Bruce Gregory (970905.1000 EDT)]
Bruce Abbott (970904.2315 EST)]
>Rick Marken (970904.0835) --
>Ok. That was a pretty tough question. So how about answering
>my easy question before I tackle the tough one. I'll make it
>true/false so it's even easier for you:
>Reinforcers (or some aspect thereof) are a controlled variable.
This is quite disingenuous of you
Disingenuous: adj. not ingenuous; lacking in frankness, candor
or sincerity; insincere.
Hardly sounds like the Rick Marken I know and love...
Bruce