Abstract
Children’s preference for one of two tasks was studied under three different conditions. In one condition, S received equal reinforcement (3:3) for responding on either task. In the remaining two conditions, responses on one task produced reinforcement more frequently than did responses on the other at ratios of 3:2 and 3:1, respectively. Half of the Ss assigned to these three conditions received TOs on the more frequently reinforced task, with the remaining Ss serving as no-TO controls. Results revealed a significant tendency to avoid TO when the alternative task was equally reinforcing. This tendency to avoid TO was reversed when the reinforcement ratio favored the task on which TO was administered. The results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that TO’s “aversiveness” is largely determined by the favorability of available response alternatives.
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References
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WILLOUGHBY, R. H. The effects of time-out from positive reinforcement on the operant behavior of preschool children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1969, 7, 299–313.
WILLOUGHBY, R. H. The influence of different response consequences on children’s preference for time-out. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, in press.
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Willoughby, R.H. Reaction to time-out and favorability of response alternatives. Psychon Sci 18, 217–218 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335744
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335744