Yoked Control Versus Random Reinforcement : a Comparison of Experimental Designs

Abstract

In verbal-conditioning studies, difficulty has been encountered in providing a control group with noncontingent reinforcement. Because randomly providing reinforcements to controls has proved unsatisfactory, Harmatz and Lapuc (1968) suggested a yoked control paradigm for equating controls with experimentals who were reinforced on a response class. In this study comparing the two methods in a verbal-conditioning paradigm, the yoked control was found to be equivalent to random reinforcement. Reasons for this seemingly contradictory finding are discussed.