Summary
Janetos and Cole (1981) make several errors in their analysis. We point out these errors and supply the correct analysis. In doing so we illustrate techniques and ideas which can be usefully applied to many problems in this area.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Charnov EL (1976) Optimal foraging: the marginal value theorem. Theor Popul Biol 9:129–136
Houston AI (1980) Godzilla v. the creature from the black lagoon. In: Toates FM, Halliday TR (eds) The analysis of motivational processes. Academic Press, London, pp 297–318
Houston AI, Kacelnik A, McNamara JM (1982) Some learning rules for acquiring information. In: McFarland DJ (ed) Functional ontogeny. Pitmans, London, pp 140–191
Houston AI, McNamara JM (1981) How to maximize reward rate on two variable-interval paradigms. J Exp Anal Behav 35:367–396
Janetos AC, Cole BJ (1981) Imperfectly optimal animals. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 9:203–209
Johns M, Miller RG (1963) Average renewal loss rate. Ann Math Stat 34:396–401
McNamara JM, Houston AI (1980) The application of statistical decision theory to animal behaviour. J Theor Biol 85:673–690
Staddon JER, Hinson JM, Kram R (1981) Optimal choice. J Exp Anal Behav 35:397–412
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Houston, A.I., McNamara, J.M. Imperfectly optimal animals. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 15, 61–64 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310216
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310216