title: An anlysis of three parameters of covert positive reinforcement.
abstract: Investigated the active components of covert positive reinforcement (CPR) with a 2 X 2 X 2 factorial design (N = 64) that consisted of an S-R modality (covert vs. overt), a reinforcement procedure (covert vs overt), and a demand for expectancy of success (high vs. low). Posttreatment and follow-up results of the Behavioral Avoidance Test indicated that generally Ss in the overt S-R modality groups approached closer to the rat than did those in the covert groups (N = 64). More importantly, the S-R modality X demand interactions reflected that those Ss in the two covert S-R modality groups under low demand evidenced less approach than those Ss in the other six groups (p less than .01). Self-rating measures of anxiety on the Self-Rating Rat Anxiety Scale and the Fear Intensity Scale reflected overall decrements of fear from pretreatment to posttreatment and follow-up. Follow-up analyses indicated that plans should be made for the generalization of treatment effects by varying the treatment setting and perhaps by employing multiple therapists.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D051381:Rats; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology