Análise da escolha individual na distribuição livre ideal: comparando diferenças e razões

Abstract

Optimal foraging theory, as a way of understanding foraging behavior, provides a foundation for the Ideal free distribution theory, which seeks to explain the choices of subjects under the condition of group competition. However, although many experiments have been performed to assess the Ideal Free Distribution (IFD), deviations have been observed in relation to the predictions of the IFD, both in other species and in humans. Sokolowski et al. (1999) have proposed an explanation for such deviations in terms of equalizing differences (nG-WG)-(nRWR) instead of ratios (WG/nG-WR/nR). Here we proposed an experiment in which individuals conducted their choices with a software that simulated the choices of subjects in a group. The software was developed in order to clarify the role of respective equations (ratioor difference-based) or choices strategies, fitting the data with a sigmoidal function. The dependent variable was the choice of every subject while being presented with artificial situations. The results showed that subjects performed their choices under the control of the two strategies, as well as others. This study brings relevant contributions to the study of individual choices, in addition to providing data that deserve to be analysed in more detail by future research.