Reinforcing Functions of Altruism and Leaving the Scene |
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| Authors: | Mark H. Stich Robert Frank Weiss Robert Ervin Cramer Richard A. Feinberg |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology , University of Oklahoma , USA;2. Department of Psychology , California State University , San Bernardino, USA;3. Department of Consumer Sciences , Purdue University , USA |
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| Abstract: | The reward value of helping and the reward value of leaving the scene were assessed separately by means of a social analog of instrumental escape conditioning. Both helping and leaving the scene proved to have reward value, with that of helping being much greater. The altruistic reward afforded by helping produced strong, regular, sustained learning of the instrumental response throughout the course of acquisition. The reward afforded by leaving the scene was much weaker in its effects but, nonetheless, superior to nonreinforced controls. |
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| Keywords: | cross-cultural laxness parenting verbosity |
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