Magnitude of Reward and Reward Value in Male Retardates 1,2,3,4

Abstract

In both experiments reported, groups of 5s whose Mma = 3 yr. or Mma = 5 yr. (similar CAs) were used. In Exp. I, 10 items differing in quantity and/or kind were presented, using a pair comparisons procedure, to 112 male retardates. Their choices were scaled and the highest and lowest items were selected for use in Exp. II. In Exp. II 72 Ss, randomly selected from those in Exp. I, were instructed to traverse a finger maze as rapidly as possible; a third for the most preferred reward (highest item from Exp. I), a third for the least preferred, and a third for no reward. As a group retardates (Exp. I) did consistently indicate differences in magnitude of reward. In Exp. II a significant difference in maze performance was associated with the reward conditions, demonstrating that prediction of performance from knowledge of incentive heirarchies obtained on a group basis is possible with retarded Ss. MA, CA, and length of institutionalization were not related to incentive choices (Exp. I) or performance (Exp. II).