Date of Award
6-1988
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Jack L. Michael
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Repeated-acquisition data were obtained from four developmentally disabled adults. The task was selecting the poker chip with the sticker on its underside in a sequence of sets of chips. When a sequence was mastered (four consecutive errorless runs) the subjects were given a new sequence to learn. Money was reinforcement for correct sequence completion. Total errors before mastery was the dependent variable.
In Phase 1 the subjects completed as many sequences as possible during each 15-minute session. Errors per sequence was a reasonably stable dependent variable within subjects, and between-subject differences were what would be expected on the basis of intellectual test scores. During Phase 2 the subjects were presented with only one sequence per session. Phase 3 was a return to the conditions of Phase 1. The effects of this manipulation were unclear. During Phase 4 the number of chips per set was increased for three of the subjects. Two were able to learn the larger sequence.
Recommended Citation
Madsen, Jeannie, "Repeated Acquisition with the Developmentally Disabled" (1988). Masters Theses. 1138.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1138