The effect of response class and inter-trial activity on verbal operant conditioning and their relationship with a post-conditioning interview

Abstract

The original paradigm for the research design presented in this paper is found in Greenspoon's (1955) study of the effect of "mmm-hmm" spoken by the experimenter (E) on the verbal behavior of the subject (S). In Greenspoon's experiment S was instructed to emit words not in any particular order. After the emission of each plural noun, ! said "mmm-hmm." Upon examining the number of plural noun emissions of the experimental group which received the reinforcement "mmm-hmm" and a control group which did not, be found a significant increase in plural noun emissions in the experimental group. A short post-experimental interview was given to each S, and those showing an awareness of the contingency between the "mmm-hmm" spoken by ! and their own emission of plural nouns were discarded from the analysis. This conditioning procedure follows the Skinnerian model of conditioning in which the organism performs or emits a particular form or class, of responses for which the organism is rewarded with a particular reinforcer. This emitted response is designated the operant in the Skinnerian lexicon of conditioning The aware were discarded p since Skinner (1957) states, "A reinforcing connection need not be obvious to the individual reinforced." (pg 75). It is often only in retrospect that one’s tendencies to behave in particular ways are seen to be a result of certain consequences; the relationship may never be seen though it is obvious to others.