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An Analysis Of The Effects Of Delay Of Reinforcement And Momentary Probabilities Of Reinforcement On Interval Schedule Performance, Charles A. Lund

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In two experiments pigeons were exposed to VI and FI schedules and schedules approximating both VI and FI schedules. In experiment I, the probabilities of the VI and FI components in a Mixed FI VI schedule were manipulated to create schedule contingencies approximating simple VI or FI. In experiment II, the minimum and maximum inter-reinforcement intervals were manipulated to create schedule contingencies approximating simple VI or FI. The major finding of both of these experiments was that maximal control by the dimension of time occurred as FI contingencies were approximated. Control by any one temporal value in experiment I depended …

The Supreme Organ Of The Mind's Self-Ordering Growth, T. Y. Booth

Faculty Honor Lectures

As is true of other organs, when language is functioning well, we pay little or no attention to it or its complexities. Part of the difficulty, in fact, of doing justice to the problems of expression and interpretation that Richards asks us to deal with is that routine language experience occurs so effortlessly, so unconcernedly, so second-natured naturally, that when we do run into difficulties we do not always recognize them as difficulties of our developing language. Or, what can be even worse, we think of the language difficulties as if they were separable, as if the thought would be …

Schedule Effects On Individual And Paired Escape Behavior Of Albino Rats, Anton P. Colasacco

Masters Theses

In Experiment I, the effects of low fixed ratios on individual escape behavior of rats was studied. When FR sessions were compared to CRF sessions, measures related to shock delivery showed highest percentage increases, especially at FR-5.

Animals were then paired. Two schedules were analyzed as alternatives to individual escape. In Experiment II, shock was terminated when a specified FR was completed, either by the responses of one animal or by the total responses of both animals. Escape as a function of both animals responding was not maintained. In Experiment III, shock was terminated individually as before, or when both …

Personal Space As A Function Of Repression-Sensitization, Sensation-Seeking And The Stigmatized Characteristics Of A Target Person, Howard M. Johnson

Student Work

The concept of personal space has been an unregarded sociological and psychological dimension. Probably the work of animal ethologists has done more to generate interest in spacing and territoriality than any other group of behavioral investigators. The characteristics of individual space in animals has been studied by Hediger (1950, 1955, 1961). From Hediger 's import ant work, research in the area of personal space in humans has evolved.

An Exploration Of Numerous Customer Characteristics Associated With Impulse Purchasing Behavior, Ira J. Jager

Masters Theses

Introduction

The term "impulse buying behavior" evokes different connotations to different researchers. It is for this reason that it is difficult to formulate a universal definition for all research in the field. Engel, Kollat, and Blackwell (1968) list some of the definitions given to impulse purchasing by those who have done research in this field:

(1) "An impulse purchase is an unplanned spur of the moment decision to purchase a product."

(2) "An impulse purchase is a logical and efficient way of making purchase decisions since by waiting until one is in the store to finalize purchase intentions, a more …

An Analysis Of Differentiating Personality Factors Between Incarcerated Heroin Addicts And Non-Addicts, Richard Whitely Davis

Master's Theses

The present study was designed to determine if long-term heroin addicts could be differentiated from short-term users and non-users of heroin on a personality inventory and by comparing their worlt histories and interpersonal relationships . Subjects were incarcerated felons at the Virginia State Penitentiary for men, and the data was collected while the men were still in the institution's Receiving Cell. First it was hyr)othesized that four factors (C, L, M, and O) from Cattell's 16 P. F. Questionnaire would be critical in discriminating addicts from non-addicts. When compared, the addict profiles and non-addict profiles did not differ significantly …

Cue Relevance As A Continuum, David A. Governski

Psychology ETDs

The primary purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate how different percentages of reinforcement can result in differential amounts of stimulus control. The initial conditions were designed to see if organisms could distinguish between different reinforcement percentages of different stimuli, even though these stimuli always appeared in compound and never in isolation. In Condition I, four stimuli were used with the following absolute reinforcement percentages: 75, 75, 50, and 0, corresponding to three different tones and a light. Results showed that the light had become a conditioned inhibitor but that no difference in stimulus control was obtained between the 75% …

A Program Of School Social Work, Phyllis Marie Jaszkowiak

Dissertations and Theses

School social work is in a state of flux. Traditional casework services in the schools, as the only function of the school social worker, is becoming less viable.

The study of Assumption school and area points out some problem areas, as well as strengths. In view of these problems and strengths, a broadened school social work program is discussed. The program centers around prevention, treatment, and research. A basic principle upon which all is based is a team approach of social work, school, and community. The discussion leads to the community school concept, which is currently seen as one of …

"America: Possibilities For Transformation", Robert Jay Lifton, Portland State University

Special Collections: Oregon Public Speakers

No abstract provided.

Ua35/11 Student Honors Bulletin, Vol. I, No. 1, Wku Honors Program

WKU Administration Documents

Articles written by honors program students. They were originally research projects, class papers or essays written for academic credit, but in each case the student has done further work editing and improving his or her manuscript for this publication. The articles represent a broad range of interests and disciplines, and they indicate a healthy attempt on the part of at least some students to dig for deeper knowledge and understanding than is usually associated with undergraduate study.

• Harris, James. The Trent Affair; Restraint vs. Irresponsibility
• Massey, Scott. Foolishness
• Oskins, Doug. Reuse of Sewage as a Potable Water Supply
• Alvey, Richard. …

The Interdependence Of Measures Of Vocational Interest And Personality, David O. Barrows

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A basic problem encountered in the area of psychological testing is the determination of what a particular test is measuring. One means by which tests are evaluated is by making observations as to how well scores may predict some specified behavior. For example, a test may be found to predict on-the-job performance. This is known as the predictive validity of a test and is determined by simply computing the coefficient of correlation between the test scores and the criterion to be predicted, which is directly observable.

A Descriptive Follow-Up Study Of 21 Children From Parry Center, Paul Duke

Dissertations and Theses

The age-old question persists: Does an agency operated treatment program contribute significantly to a child’s personal development and adjustment following release from the institution? Since it is the agency's responsibility to weigh the needs of the disturbed child and provide appropriate services according to those needs, their basic question--whether residential treatment or another mode of treatment is more effective--remains unanswered and, in many instances, uncontested. If residential child care benefits the disturbed child, which characteristics of that agency are conducive to the improvement of the child's behavior and re-adaption? The following study will attempt to isolate such characteristics. We will …

Efficacy Of Reinforcement In An Observational Paradigm, Charles M. Krizic

Masters Theses

Study investigated the effectiveness of reinforcement in an observational paradigm where the dependent variable was indicated by increased morphological resemblance of an observer (O) after viewing a model (M). The stimulus was a series of novel responses recorded on videotape with each child viewing the tape individually. The subjects were 32 Head Start males divided into four groups. The first group was administered verbal praise prior to the modeling session. The second served as the vicarious reinforcement condition and observed an adult praise the model. The third group received direct reinforcement during the test for acquisition. The control group received …

Occupational Identification: A Study Of Undergraduate College Students, Martin J. Schultz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Progesterone On Food And Water Intake And Weight In The Adult Male Rats After Stomach Loads Of Hypertonic Saline, Michael D. Smith

Master's Theses

Eight adult male albino rats were randomly assigned to each treatment condition of progesterone injections (0,10,40, and ·100 mg/kg/day dissolved in Bee of sesame seed oil), and all 2s received a hypertonic NaCl stomach loading. A control group for procedural effects was given injections of sesame seed oil alone and isotonic NaCl stomach loads. The dependent variables were body weight, food intake and water intake. Single factor analyses of covariance revealed a significant difference between the 0 mg progesterone group and the control group for food and water intake but not weight. No significant differences were found in food and …

The Role Of The Resident Assistant As Perceived By Students, Head Residents, And Resident Assistants, At Central Washington State College, Stephen J. Ruhl

All Master's Theses

This study examined how the role of the Resident Assistant was perceived by students, Head Residents, and Resident Assistants on the Central Washington State College campus.

Thirty-nine statements descriptive of the R.A.'s role were administered to the entire H.R. and R.A. staff and 90 students at Central Washington State College.

Data received was subjected to analysis of variance and t test. Results indicated a greater difference between students and R.A.'s than H.R.'s and R.A.'s or H.R.'s and students. These results may serve as a reference point for further dialogue.

Food Intake In Rats As A Function Of Shock-Avoiding Eating Behavior, Kathleen A. Carlton

All Master's Theses

Consumption of a liquid nutrient by rats under several different circumstances was studied. A restraining apparatus and tailshock were used to train one group to lick a drinkometer tube, creating a forced drinking situation. It was hypothesized that rats in this group would consume significantly more than Ss in the other three groups during a testing phase. The hypothesis was disconfirmed by statistical analysis, though there appeared to be a tendency for avoidance training to produce effective results.

The Personality Of Psychology Majors As Measured By The Mmpi, Bill W. Garmon

Masters Theses

This study sought to investigate the personality traits of psychology students. No significant differences were found between a group of psychology majors and a control group on any of the scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

The findings do show that college students, as a group, are more deviant in their responses on the MMPI than the general adult population.

The subjects were 80 students enrolled in seven psychology classes at Eastern Illinois University.

The t ratio was used for evaluating the difference between means for each scale.

Titration Of Intertrial Interval In The Matching-To-Sample Paradigm, Gregory T. Hochstetter

Masters Theses

Investigators have used many different values for the ITI in investigating the variables in matching-to-sample. Holt and Shafer (1973), showed that the ITI itself influences matching performance. In the present experiment the titration method was employed to determine the optimal or "preferred" ITI for pigeons. Three Ss began each session with an ITI of 0 sec. Three other Ss began each session with an ITI of 60 sec. During the session two consecutive correct responses reduced the ITI by 2 secs while a single error would increase the ITI by 2 secs. The results showed that the 60 sec ITI …

A Comparison Of Incarcerated And Non-Incarcerated Women Based On The M.M.P.I., Rose Marie Carter

Masters Theses

The field for research on women offenders provides an extensive opportunity for scientific investigation. Many writers (Gibbons, 1971; Cunningham, 1964; Sutherland, 1968) have discussed the causes of crime and their resulting social implications. Organized mass presentations of the movement of crime among women is negligible. Today female incarcerates make up approximately 11 per cent (Lerner, 1972) of the total number in state and federal penitentiaries. Previous research (Cunningham, 1964) on female felons found poor self-concept, excessive dependency and pathological emotionality to be a consistent pattern in women criminals. Other research (Apfeldorf, 1971; Guze, 1959) found criminal and non-criminal groups could …

Effect Of Spatial Titration On Task Performance, Lawrence M. Glowacki

Masters Theses

A spatial titration method was used with a reinforcement schedule to determine task-reinforcement area separation most preferred and effective in producing high task performance. Two third-grade boys were given task contingent reinforcement where the task was solving arithmetic problems. Following shaping to stable response rates, the titration operation was introduced. Errors decreased the task-reinforcement area distance while correct responses increased the distance. With the introduction of Titration Phase 1, both subjects' incorrect responses produced a zero task-reinforcement area separation. In Titration Phase 2, both subjects were started at the opposite extreme of the reinforcement continuum. Repeated errors produced a zero …

Male And Female Anti-Feminism: A Further Examination Of The Authoritarian Personality, David L. Arntzen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Existence Of Ambivalence Among Students: A Question Concerning Alienation, Stephen M. Puckett

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Changes In Scholastic Achievement And Intelligence Of Indian Children Enrolled In A Foster Placement Program, Linda Ouida Willson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the long-term effects of the Indian Placement Program on the enrolled students' scholastic achievement as measured by standardized tests given in the schools. It also examines intelligence test scores and changes in them during years in the Program. The following effects on achievement were also examined: sex, age and grade at initial placement, and the child's adjustment as measured by number of foster homes in which he had been placed.

Food Choice Preferences And Delay Of Reward In Obese And Normal Weight Children, Mitzi M. Rochester

All Master's Theses

Thirty-seven obese and thirty-six normal weight children, ages eight to eleven, of both sexes were tested to determine if the cue prominence theory of obesity would be supported early in life. Ss chose a candy bar as a reward for a task from one of three bowls, containing either large bars in plain brown wrappers, small bars in brightly colored wrappers, or small bars in plain brown wrappers. Obese and normals did not differ in their choices: 67% of the obese and 80% of the non-obese children chose the large candy bars in plain wrappers. However, obese Ss chose significantly …

Self Persuasion As A Function Of True And False Confession, Barry A. Stevens

All Master's Theses

Colored slides were established as the discriminative stimuli for "truth" and "lying." Experimental subjects were commanded to emit both positive and negative statements in the presence of these stimuli concerning previously established neutral picture-slides. Subsequently, the real opinion of each subject was recorded. The hypothesis that those statements made in the presence of discriminative stimuli would effect judgments was not supported. The only significant main effect was that of the command variable. Suggestions for further study were given.

Choice Shifts As A Function Of Confidence In The Communicator And Risk Level Of Message, Gerald James Smith

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Auditory Attentional Deficit In Schizophrenia, Esther Ann Gimpel

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Differences in auditory detection performance between schizophrenics and normals were examined in terms of the attentional processes involved. Each of 40 ~s (20 schizophrenics categorized along the dimensions of paranoia, premorbidity, and acuteness; and 20 hospital technical staff) were presented with 30 50-trial blocks of a tone detection task using 6 auditory ensembles consisting of 2 tones apiece separated by varying . ,. frequency bands. Tones were masked by white noise and presented in a free-running trial manner. The commonly found decrement in detection performance with normal subjects as the tones in the ensembles become more widely separated was replicated. …

The Relationship Between Linguistic Behavior And Diagnostic Classifications In The Language Processing Systems Of Bilingual Schizophrenics, Lee Sue Curry

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Both of these theoretical positions - the linguistics and the behavioristic - are introduced here as parallel structures within which a study of language can proceed. As this study is developed, each strand is evident to some extent, with a synthesis of the two evolving in a psycholinguistic model which characterizes actual language use. This model, with the addiction of a bilingual dimension, is then discussed in light of schizophrenic language deviations.

Interactive Effects Of Stimulus Bandwidth And Type Of Masker Presentation On The Function Relating Detection Performance To Signal Duration, Theodore H. Miller

Dissertations

The research described in this paper is in the broadest sense an attempt to understand more fully the way in which the human auditory system processes the information present in acoustic waveforms.