Rationale of Covert Reinforcement: Additional Evidence

Abstract

Cautela (1970, 1975) explains covert positive reinforcement as a behavior therapy technique derived from an operant conditioning model. Recent studies have cast doubt on the adequacy of this explanation. On a behavioral measure presentation of the covert reinforcer before or after the response sought to be increased did not yield results superior to those in which the reinforcer was presented noncontingently. Results for three groups were superior to those obtained for a placebo and a no-treatment group and were maintained at a 1-mo. follow-up. On an attitude questionnaire significant improvements showed only for the covert positive reinforcement group at the follow-up. No differences among the groups were obtained on the fear thermometer. The theoretical implications were discussed.