Analyzing the reinforcement process at the human level: Can application and behavioristic interpretation replace laboratory research?

Critics have questioned the value of human operant conditioning experiments in the study of fundamental processes of reinforcement. Contradictory results from human and animal experiments have been attributed to the complex social and verbal history of the human subject. On these grounds, it has been contended that procedures that mimic those conventionally used with animal subjects represent a "poor analytic preparation" for the explication of reinforcement principles. In defending the use of conventional operant methods for human research, we make three points: (a) Historical variables play a critical role in research on processes of reinforcement, regardless of whether the subjects are humans or animals. (b) Techniques are available for detecting, analyzing, and counteracting such historical and extra-experimental influences; these include long-term observations, steady state designs, and, when variables are not amenable to direct control (e.g., age, gender, species), selection of subjects with common characteristics. (c) Other forms of evidence that might be used to validate conditioning principles-applied behavior analysis and behavioristic interpretation-have inherent limitations and cannot substitute for experimental analysis. We conclude that human operant conditioning experiments are essential for the analysis of the reinforcement process at the human level, but caution that their value depends on the extent to which the traditional methods of the experimental analysis of behavior are properly applied.     

社会主义社会的无神论和精神文化

在苏联,由于经济和社会关系的伟大革命改造,建成了发达的社会主义社会。苏联的生活方式决定了社会意识的普遍无神论化,因此,在苏联社会生活中,科学无神论的社会功能和文化功能得以充实和扩大,科学无神论同物质和精神实践的各方面、各领域的联系得以巩固和完善。在信教者中间,虔诚狂热的信徒逐渐减少,这类现象证明,宗教在我国社会中的影响正在减退。     

Comparison of observational recordings in vivo, via mirror, and via television

Simultaneous observational recordings were made in vivo, via an observation mirror, and via closed circuit television. Three of nine observers had extensive experience recording behavior in vivo; three had extensive experience recording behavior via mirror; and three had extensive experience recording via television. Observers recorded nine categories of disruptive behavior for children in a special class setting. Frequencies of behavior recorded in vivo, via mirror, and via television differed significantly for only one category, vocalization. There were no significant main effects or interactions involving the observers' previous experience. Occurrence reliability coefficients computed within and between media demonstrated the similarity of observer agreement in all three media. Data collection procedures using an observational mirror or closed circuit television appear to be reasonable alternatives to in vivo observation in circumstances similar to those in the present study.     

Fertility,sex role attitudes,and labor force participation

Data from the 1970 National Fertility Study were used to investigate the relationships between sex role attitudes and the childbearing and labor force participation of women. While several relevant dimensions of sex role attitudes were identified, it was found that the most crucial aspect for working and fertility was the extent to which the woman identified the female role as that of housewife and homemaker. Those having traditional definitions concerning this role were less likely to be working, and had fewer plans to work in the future. In addition, as expected, women with traditional sex role definitions had more children than others. While the orientation of the woman toward the home was the primary correlate of work and fertility, those who felt that women had little control over their lives had higher fertility than others—a relationship which could be explained partially, but not entirely, in terms of unplanned childbearing.     

Positive contrast, negative induction, and inhibitory stimulus control in the rat

In Experiment I, 24 rats were trained on a multiple variable-interval variable-interval schedule with a doorlight and white noise serving as component cues. Two groups were then shifted to a multiple extinction variable-interval schedule, and a third group was maintained on the multiple variable-interval variable-interval schedule. The multiple extinction variable-interval condition produced positive contrast when either the light or noise signalled extinction, and both of these cues acquired inhibitory stimulus control as measured by a combined cue test. In Experiment II, the multiple variable-interval variable-interval condition was shifted to multiple extinction variable-interval for one group, to multiple variable-time variable-interval for a second group, and was unchanged for the third group. The two experimental conditions produced identical patterns of response-rate reduction in the altered component, but the multiple extinction variable-interval condition produced positive contrast, whereas the multiple variable-time variable-interval condition did not. Subsequent combined cue and resistance to reinforcement tests revealed that the cue signalling extinction acquired stronger inhibitory stimulus control than the cue signalling variable time.     

A three-component analysis of the modality effect in single-trial free recall

Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Unversität, Frankfurt am Main, West-Germany In single-trial free recall a superiority of acoustical over visual presentation has been observed in the recency part of the serial position curve. The rehearsal-buffer model by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) was modified to distinguish between three different explanations that are discussed in the literature. The application of the model allowed some of the parameters to vary across modes of presentation while other parameters were held constant. A model assuming either a precategorical acoustical storage or additional processing for visually presented items gives a better account of the results than does a model derived from a two-store hypothesis.     

Clock control of human performance on avoidance and fixed-interval schedules

The avoidance and fixed-interval performances of human subjects were studied in two experiments. Addition of time-correlated stimuli (added clock) improved behavioral efficiency, since response rates decreased without decreases in reinforcement rates. Response-dependent display of the clock maintained a second, observing response and reductions in clock duration weakened such observing behavior. Generally, the reinforcing properties of the clock were more apparent with the avoidance than with the fixed-interval schedule, a finding attributed to temporal cues already provided by delivery of the fixed-interval reinforcers. Reduced rates of the main response when the clock was dependent on an observing response were more than offset by rates of the observing response in the majority of subjects. Thus, the results do not support an interpretation of the reinforcing properties of added clocks simply in terms of work reduction.     

迈向哲学的哲学

几十年前我开始哲学玄想的时候,就想当然地认为:任何人只要竭尽全力研攻哲学,他就能够创立一种哲学体系,以后他就要坚持这种哲学并为捍卫自己的哲学而与论敌进行有说服力的论战,这种哲学时时会有小的变化,但并不需要大的修改。我周围的哲学家们好象也是这么设想的。但是事实逐渐推翻了这样的设想。我现在的哲学之所以形成,主要是由于这种设想破灭的结果。如果我未曾改变那种把哲学研究看成是建立一种似乎坚定不移的体系的话,那就会导致而且肯定会使     

哲学与科学

一如果以衡量天文学或植物学的同样尺度来衡量哲学,那哲学就恐怕不能称为一門科学。哲学家們各有一套理論,但他們无法根据这种理論作出預測;这种理論无法凭經驗来证明或駁倒,而科学理論却能如此。誠然,你可以反駁我說,一切科学領城內的情况并不都是这样。古生物学家就不作預測,純粹数学就不需要經驗。不过历史科学的結論虽然沒有預測性,但无論如何可以凭經驗来檢驗。純粹数学的定理虽然不能凭观察来推     

中国哲学和沃尔夫

17和18世纪的欧洲哲学对中国哲学感兴趣不是偶然的。这件事与法国启蒙学派的唯理论和反基督教理论,以及德国的自然神论之互相渗透,有着关联。中国哲学对这些思潮具有吸引力,首先是因为中国哲学与当时开始的唯理论形而上学关系之间有内在的亲密关系。这些关系我已顺便在研究中国哲学对莱布尼茨影响时加以证明了。两派地理上相距遥远,但按其本质来看别是相近的潮流,它们的会合具有一定的特