optimal foraging theory

a theory of foraging behavior arguing that natural selection has created optimal strategies for food selection (based on nutritional value and costs of locating, capturing, and processing food) and for deciding when to leave a particular patch to seek resources elsewhere. Many aspects of optimal foraging theory have been studied empirically using operant conditioning with different schedules of reinforcement and reward quality. See also marginal value theorem.

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Psychology term of the day

November 27th 2024

respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)

Sorry, "respiratory-sinus-arrhythmia-rsa" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.