Matching by fixing and sampling: A local model based on internality

Undermatching and overmatching in concurrent schedules of reinforcement have been traditionally described as changes in the slope of the Generalized Matching Law function. More recently, it has been suggested that deviations from strict matching may be better described as following a policy of mostly fixing on the preferred schedule, and occasionally sampling the alternative schedule. So far, no model of local performance predicts the global outcome of this policy. We describe one such model; it assumes immediate and long-term effects of reinforcement on local performance. The model assumes long-term effects as changes in the internal state of the organism. Formally, the model is analogous to the Axiom of Repeated Choice [Lefebvre, V.A., 2004. Bipolarity, choice, and entro-field. In: Proceedings of the Eighth World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, vol. IV, pp. 95-99].