Date of Award
4-1973
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Roger E. Ulrich
Second Advisor
Dr. David Lyon
Third Advisor
Dr. Fred Gault
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
A six-month-old infant was conditioned to imitate four verbal cues presented by an adult experimenter by using food as a reinforcer. Aversive schedules (escape-avoidance of, or punishment with a loud buzzer) were then introduced to suppress inattentive behavior. Inattention defined as looking away from the investigator, crying, rate of vocalizations, and accuracy of imitations were measured. Three conclusions of the experiment were: 1) verbal imitation can be shaped and maintained through positive reinforcement; 2) the use of aversive schedules is not necessarily beneficial for the performance of the imitative task, or for the general well-being of the child.
Recommended Citation
Secker, Leta Hunt, "The Shaping of Verbal Imitation and Multiple Effects of Aversive Schedules for Controlling Inattention in an Infant" (1973). Masters Theses. 2717.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/2717