What does it mean if an organism is overmatching?

A. The organism is emitting fewer responses than necessary to obtain reinforcement.
B. The organism is emitting relatively more responses than necessary to obtain reinforcement.
C. The organism is indifferent to reinforcement.
D. The organism is responding disproportionately more toward the leaner reinforcement alternative.

In operant conditioning, overmatching occurs when an organism excessively emphasizes one behavior over others, with multiple responses attempted until reinforcement is achieved. Satiation can diminish reinforcement effectiveness by excessive delivery of reinforcers.

Explanation:

Overmatching in operant conditioning occurs when an organism responds disproportionately more towards the leaner reinforcement alternative, choosing one behavior over others based on the reinforcers earned. This phenomenon happens when the organism excessively focuses on a particular behavior, even if it is not the most effective choice.

Multiple responses might be attempted if the initial response doesn't lead to the desired outcome, showcasing trial and error behavior in the search for the most effective response.

When satiation occurs due to a reinforcer being delivered too frequently, its effectiveness diminishes, illustrating that having too much of a reinforcer can lead to decreased reinforcement value.

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