Four levels of the behavior constraint-reinforcement variable were manipulated: attractive reward, unattractive reward, request to perform, and a no-reward control. Only the unattractive reward and request groups showed the performance decrements that suggest the overjustification effect. It is concluded that reinforcement does not cause the…

The effects of prompting and confirmation on automated presentation of materials in discrimination learning were studied. Eight pairs of words or pictures were presented to 48 mentally retarded subjects (mean IQ 63, mean chronological age 163.4 months, mean mental age 103.3 months). Each subject's correct responses advanced the program and, in the…

THE USE OF REWARDS AS INCENTIVES TO INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR WAS STUDIED AND AN EVALUATION WAS MADE OF THE INCENTIVE VALUE OF EACH OF THE REWARDS. PORTABLE VERSIONS OF THE WISCONSIN GENERAL TEST APPARATUS WERE USED TO TEST 120 CHILDREN FROM GRADES 1, 3, AND 5. FOR A DISCRIMINATION LEARNING TEST EACH CHILD WAS PRESENTED 5 STIMULI THAT WERE SELECTED FROM…

Nineteen chemical operators, aged 38 to 59, were trained in report writing in their plant in order to pass national examinations. There were two training sessions. In the first, the need for clear, accurate statements and appreciation of the difference between the written and spoken word were stressed. The second was practice in writing inductive…

THESE EXPERIMENTS WITH VERBAL BEHAVIOR WERE CARRIED OUT AS AN EXTENSION AND ADAPTATION OF GENERAL LABORATORY PRINCIPLES DEVELOPED WITH ANIMALS. THE EXPERIMENTS COVERED THREE AREAS. THE FIRST WAS AN APPLICATION OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF VERBAL BEHAVIOR, LARGELY BASED ON SKINNER'S ANALYSIS, TO THE PROBLEMS OF TEACHING A SECOND LANGUAGE. ACTUAL…

To investigate the effects of instrumental eating on food preferences, 45 preschool children were assigned to either instrumental eating or control conditions. Preference data obtained before and after a series of snack sessions (consisting of milk beverages) demonstrated a significant negative shift in preference for the instrumental groups.…

Describes efforts in the banking industry to combine the reward elements of incentive programs with training activities. Concludes that incentive programs can be combined effectively with learning activities so that training is reinforced and learned behavior is also practiced. (WL)

Behavior modification, if used properly, is a powerful and useful tool. As with many tools, improper use can cause temporary or permanent damage. The educational program might include behavior modification as one tool in a battery of many tools used to promote healthy change in behavior. (CS)

Behavior is guided by its consequences. Paper explores the events which occur when people attempt to control other people's behavior using this principle. (Author)

Imitative behavior in kindergarten children was either reinforced or not reinforced prior to seeing a male aggressive model. The children were tested for imitation and retention of the behaviors. Study provides support for both contiguity'' and generalized imitation'' theories of social modeling. (ST)

A study of children's incentive preferences revealed reliable age and sex differences, and significant discrepancies with adults' estimates of what children like. Implications for research with children are discussed. (DP)

The results of the study confirm the expectation that fewer enrollees who complete the pre-test orientation and work-sampling would withdraw from subsequent components of a Work Incentive Orientation and Assessment Program. The program's flexible structure allows time for individual attention to work adjustment problems as they occur. (Author)