Under expected utility theory, unconditional expected utility can be decomposed into a weighted sum of conditional expected utilities where the weights are marginal probabilities. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for a similar decomposition in the framework of Cumulative Prospect Theory (CPT). The conditions also ensure that a decision maker’s conditional preferences (given some ev...

Packet theory is based on the assumption that the momentary probability of producing a bout or packet of responding is controlled by the conditional expected time function. Bouts of head entry responses of rats into a food cup appear to have the same characteristics across a range of conditions. The conditional expected time function is the mean expected time remaining until the next food deliv...

This paper establishes a link between Bayesian inference (learning) and predicate and state transformer operations from programming semantics and logic. Specifically, a very general definition of backward inference is given via first applying a predicate transformer and then conditioning. Analogously, forward inference involves first conditioning and then applying a state transformer. These def...

Descriptive definitions in science are useful insofar as they identify natural phenomena that hang together in some distinctive way. In 1957, Skinner proposed an unusual definition of verbal behavior that has subsequently been criticized even by fellow behavior analysts. Although Skinner did not justify his definition at length in his published work, two unpublished manuscripts show that he put...