Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The functional role of discriminative stimuli in free operant performance of developmentally retarded children

  • Published:
The Psychological Record Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A free-operant stimulus-removal method for evaluation of the relative functional roles of positive and negative cues in simple two-choice discrimination performance is described and illustrated with data from three developmentally retarded boys. The method avoids the confounding effects of novelty in a restricted-operant ambiguous-cue technique and permits repeated measures on the same Ss. Results suggest that for retarded boys at least, only one of the available relevant cues is functional in discriminative performance and that the kind of cue conditioned is not the same for all Ss.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • BIJOU, S. W., and ORLANDO, R. Rapid development of multiple schedule performance in developmentally retarded children. J. exp. anal. Behav., 1961 (in press).

  • FERSTER, C. B. Positive reinforcement and behavioral deficits of autistic children (No. 1) Child Develpm., 1961 (in press).

  • FERSTER, C. B., and SKINNER, B. F. Schedules of reinforcement. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1957.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • HOUSE, B. J., ORLANDO, R., and ZEAMAN, D. Role of positive and negative cues in the discrimination learning of mental defectives. Percept. mot. Skills, 1957, 7, 73–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ORLANDO, R. and BIJOU, S. W. Single and multiple schedules of reinforcement in developmentally retarded children. J. exp. anal. Behav., 1960, 3, 339–348.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • ORLANDO, R., BIJOU, S. W., TYLER, R. M., and MARSHALL, D. A. A laboratory for the experimental analysis of developmentally retarded children. Psychol. Rep., 1960, 7, 261–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • THOMPSON, R. Approach versus avoidance in an ambiguous-cue discrimination problem. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1954, 47, 133–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, USA

    Robert Orlando

Authors
  1. Robert Orlando
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This research was supported by Research Grant M-2232 from the National Institute of Mental Health, United States Public Health Service. Ss were residents of Rainier School, Buckley, Washington. Superintendent of the institution is Wesley D. White, Ed.D.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Orlando, R. The functional role of discriminative stimuli in free operant performance of developmentally retarded children. Psychol Rec 11, 153–161 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393398

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393398

Search

Navigation