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The Use Of Covert Reinforcement In The Modification Of External Locus Of Control, Vincent Rose

Master's Theses

An analogue study was conducted to test the clinical efficacy of covert reinforcement (Cautela, 1970) and to assess the role of behavioral .rehearsal in covert reinforcement. A secondary purpose was to determine the effects of image clarity, subject anxiety level and rate of extra session imagery on the therapeutic effect of covert reinforcement. Forty introductory psychology students who scored above 8 on Rotter's (1966) I-E scale were seen for four, fifteen minute sessions over a two week period. Subjects were divided into five groups: a covert reinforcement group, an overt reinforcement group, a behavioral rehearsal group, an activity control group …

An Investigation Of Differential Reinforcement Effectiveness As A Function Of Type Of Task, Jeffrey W. Erickson

Master's Theses

Two tasks and four reinforcers were used to determine whether or not reinforcer effectiveness is in part dependent upon the type of task involved. An equal number (40) fifth and sixth grade children performed under each task condition

for 20 trials (arithmetic and sequential processing) and received one of four possible reinforcers (candy , "good ", grad e A, no­ reinforcer). The two dependent variables measured were time to complete either task and the number of errors mad e while performing upon one or the other task. A significant F was not obtained for either time or error scores at …

Influence Of Vicarious Reinforcement On An Observer's Speed Of Conflict Resolution, Nola R. Powell

Master's Theses

Conflict, expressed parsimoniously yet meaningfully, result from "competition between incompatible responses" (miller 1944). Conflict identified in this manner must be distinguished from a psychoanalytic definition invoking internal dynamic states and forces as explanatory concepts. In the interest of working with behaviors that are more readily observable and measurable, this paper will focus on conflict as defined in the first sense.

Lewin (1931), in particular, was instrumental in launching a concept of conflict based psychological field forces. Field forces, which were considered to be acquired, were said to have valences which had a point of application, strength, and direction. Valences could …

The Behavioral Effects Of Partial Reinforcement As A Function Of The Stimulus Similarity Of The Intertrial Interval, Dennis L. Mclaughlin

Master's Theses

Although Pavlov (1927) and Skinner (1938) had published articles dealing with the effects of less than 100% reinforcement upon acquisition and extinction, it was not until the Humphrey's investigation (1939) that partial reinforcement became an enigma for leaning theorists. Hull's theory came under the sharpest criticism because with a decrease in the number of reinforcement in acquisition there was not a corresponding decrease in habit strength as measured by resistance to extinction. Despite much criticism, Hull did not deet it necessary to consider the problem of partial reinforcement in his Principles of Behavior (1943). Humphreys, on the other hand, proposed …