| Popis: |
Children, aged 2–5 years, were given an opportunity to touch a ball and to discover that a touch could result in a short sequence of motion pictures accompanied by music. The reinforcing effects of the visual and auditory stimuli were assessed primarily by the extent to which fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement controlled rate of response. In one group of 20 Ss assigned to FRs, 15 Ss showed increasing rates of response with advancing ratios. In a second group of 5 Ss maintained on continuous reinforcement (CRF), none showed a progressive increase in rate of response during the session. The data indicate that the stimuli functioned as reinforcers. The findings suggest that manipulatory behaviors, through which the child learns some of the dimensions of his environment, can be maintained by the stimulation resulting from the manipulation. |
