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Abstract

An attempt was made to extend the generality of an earlier finding that a model's emotional reactions can function as effective “social” reinforcers. The effects of two partial social reinforcement schedules on the level of imitation were examined both in isolation and in conjunction with a task reinforcement. The two social reinforcement schedules, a constant probability of a negative reinforcement for imitation and an increasing probability of a negative reinforcement for imitation were incongruent with the task reinforcement schedule in which the probability of a positive reinforcement for imitation was .8. Ss predicted whether a red or green light would be illuminated after being informed of the prediction allegedly made by a partner. For half the Ss the event to be predicted was actually seen, along with the presentation of a GSR reading purportedly reflecting the emotional state of the partner, immediately after each prediction. Only the GSR readings were presented at that time for the remaining Ss, the events to be predicted supposedly occurring on a machine in another room. As predicted, a significantly higher level of imitation was obtained under a .8 task reinforcement for imitation than in the absence of task reinforcement. The expected generalization failed to occur, however. Since many of the previous situational conditions had been simultaneously altered for the present study, it was impossible to determine which of the changes was critical. Examination of relevant literature concerning the effects of these variables failed to clarify the situation. Another inexplicable finding was the incongruity between Ss' behavior while performing the experimental task and their subsequent behavior in completing questionnaires. It was suggested that individual differences in social responsiveness, in part determined by personality variables, might account for the difficulties in controlling imitation and opposition with social reinforcers.

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Effectiveness of a Social Reinforcement in Isolation and in Conjunction with a Conflicting Task Reinforcement

Abstract

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