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.
Description:
Author Institution: Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325 U.S.A.
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