title: The matching law

authors: Poling, Alan

subjects: concurrent schedule of reinforcement

abstract: This article introduces the quantitative analysis of choice behavior by describing a number of equations developed over the years to describe the relation between the allocation of behavior under concurrent schedules of reinforcement and the consequences received for alternative responses. Direct proportionality between rate of responding and rate of reinforcement was observed in early studies, suggesting that behavioral output matched environmental input in a mathematical sense. This relation is termed "strict matching," and the equation that describes it is referred to as "the matching law." Later data showed systematic departures from strict matching, and a generalized version of the matching equation is now used to describe such data. This equation, referred to as "the generalized matching equation," also describes data that follow strict matching. It has become convention to refer to either of these equations as "the matching law." Empirical support for the matching law is briefly summarized, as is the applied and practical significance of matching analyses.

text: The matching law This article introduces the quantitative analysis of choice behavior by describing a number of equations developed over the years to describe the relation between the allocation of behavior under concurrent schedules of reinforcement and the consequences received for alternative responses. Direct proportionality between rate of responding and rate of reinforcement was observed in early studies, suggesting that behavioral output matched environmental input in a mathematical sense. This relation is termed "strict matching," and the equation that describes it is referred to as "the matching law." Later data showed systematic departures from strict matching, and a generalized version of the matching equation is now used to describe such data. This equation, referred to as "the generalized matching equation," also describes data that follow strict matching. It has become convention to refer to either of these equations as "the matching law." Empirical support for the matching law is briefly summarized, as is the applied and practical significance of matching analyses.

year: 2011

title: Barriers to obesity health care from GP and client perspectives in New Zealand general practice: A meta-ethnography review

authors: Norman, Kimberley

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Obesity is a complex international health concern affecting individual quality of life and contributing to an unsustainable strain on national health systems. General practice is positioned as best suited to deliver weight management health care, yet, obesity rates remain high suggesting barriers are experienced within this space. The aim of this review is to synthesize general practitioner and client perspectives of weight management to identify barriers experienced in New Zealand general practice. Six databases were searched resulting in eight articles being included in this review. This interpretive synthesis was guided by principles of meta-ethnography and grounded theory. Four overarching themes were identified from client and general practitioner perspectives: stigma, communication, inadequate health care (system limitations for general practitioners and lack of tailored advice for clients), and sociocultural influences. These four barriers were found to be interdependent, influencing each other outside the general practice context, highlighting the intersectionality of weight management health-care barriers and further complicating effective weight management within general practice. Clients reported wanting tailored, non-stigmatized, effective weight management health care, yet, general practitioners reported being ill-equipped to provide this due to barriers both within and outside the limits of their practice. General practice requires more systemic support to deliver effective weight management including public health campaigns and indigenous health information to reduce health inequities. An appraisal of general practice being “best suited” to deliver effective weight management health care that is culturally appropriate is urgently required to improve obesity related health outcomes in New Zealand.

text: Barriers to obesity health care from GP and client perspectives in New Zealand general practice: A meta-ethnography review Obesity is a complex international health concern affecting individual quality of life and contributing to an unsustainable strain on national health systems. General practice is positioned as best suited to deliver weight management health care, yet, obesity rates remain high suggesting barriers are experienced within this space. The aim of this review is to synthesize general practitioner and client perspectives of weight management to identify barriers experienced in New Zealand general practice. Six databases were searched resulting in eight articles being included in this review. This interpretive synthesis was guided by principles of meta-ethnography and grounded theory. Four overarching themes were identified from client and general practitioner perspectives: stigma, communication, inadequate health care (system limitations for general practitioners and lack of tailored advice for clients), and sociocultural influences. These four barriers were found to be interdependent, influencing each other outside the general practice context, highlighting the intersectionality of weight management health-care barriers and further complicating effective weight management within general practice. Clients reported wanting tailored, non-stigmatized, effective weight management health care, yet, general practitioners reported being ill-equipped to provide this due to barriers both within and outside the limits of their practice. General practice requires more systemic support to deliver effective weight management including public health campaigns and indigenous health information to reduce health inequities. An appraisal of general practice being “best suited” to deliver effective weight management health care that is culturally appropriate is urgently required to improve obesity related health outcomes in New Zealand.

year: 2022-07-14

title: Two Decades After Siaan Nathan’s (1999) Study: Revisiting the Responsiveness of Professional Clinical Psychology Programmes

authors: Chan, Joanna

abstract: Clinical psychology training programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand are predominantly monocultural and centred on perspectives from Western Europe and North America. Several initiatives have sought to address the monocultural dominance of Western psychology in training programmes, with limited sustainability. We surveyed clinical psychology programme directors (N=6) to assess the progress of programmes towards meeting Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations across five key domains (Māori representation across programme staff and students, advisory group, admissions process and programme content). Promisingly, progress regarding the inclusion of Māori-focused content and faculty representation was identified. However, all directors reported that the increase in Māori student representation was slow, with half (n=3) reporting the number of tauira Māori applicants to programmes was an ongoing concern. The limited progress towards ensuring increased Māori representation was thought to reflect system constraints. The findings highlight the pressing need for clinical psychology training to fulfil Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations to support tino rangatiratanga for Māori that leads to transformative change. Notably, equity for Māori was identified as a priority through the provision of sufficient and sustainable resourcing for kaupapa Māori psychologies.

text: Two Decades After Siaan Nathan’s (1999) Study: Revisiting the Responsiveness of Professional Clinical Psychology Programmes Clinical psychology training programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand are predominantly monocultural and centred on perspectives from Western Europe and North America. Several initiatives have sought to address the monocultural dominance of Western psychology in training programmes, with limited sustainability. We surveyed clinical psychology programme directors (N=6) to assess the progress of programmes towards meeting Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations across five key domains (Māori representation across programme staff and students, advisory group, admissions process and programme content). Promisingly, progress regarding the inclusion of Māori-focused content and faculty representation was identified. However, all directors reported that the increase in Māori student representation was slow, with half (n=3) reporting the number of tauira Māori applicants to programmes was an ongoing concern. The limited progress towards ensuring increased Māori representation was thought to reflect system constraints. The findings highlight the pressing need for clinical psychology training to fulfil Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations to support tino rangatiratanga for Māori that leads to transformative change. Notably, equity for Māori was identified as a priority through the provision of sufficient and sustainable resourcing for kaupapa Māori psychologies.

year: 2025