Abstract
Ss were given 30 trials on which they were required to choose between receiving shock after 0, 2, 5, 10 or 15 sec. The shock ranged in intensity from a very low level on the first trial to one that was very unpleasant on the 30th. Eleven Ss chose immediate shocks almost exclusively throughout the experiment. The choices of the remaining 9 Ss were scattered, but as shock level increased, there was a tendency to shift towards 0 and 2 sec. delays. There were no significant differences in the choice behavior of Ss shocked on every trial and those shocked on only 50% of the trials.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Cook, J. O., & Barnes, L. W. Choice of delay of inevitable shock. J. abnorm. soc. Psychol., 1964, 68, 669–672.
D’Amato, M. R., & Gumenik, W. E. Some effects of immediate versus randomly delayed shock on an instrumental response and cognitive processes. J. abnorm. soc. Psychol., 1960, 60, 64–67.
Hare, R. D. Psychopathy and choice of immediate versus delayed punishment. J. abnorm. Psychol., 1966, 71, 25–29.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by Grant APA-139 from the National Research Council of Canada. Appreciation is extended to T. Creighton and D. Krebs who ran the Ss, and to W. Petrusic and B. Tindall for their helpful comments.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hare, R.D. Preference for delay of shock as a function of its intensity and probability. Psychon Sci 5, 393–394 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328456
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328456