Live Context Research Articles

A functional analysis of social reinforcement in vicarious verbal conditioning.

This article reports the results of 629 subjects in three experiments designed to replicate and extend the phenomenon of vicarious verbal conditioning. Experiment I replicated the finding that subjects who responded most to vicarious verbal conditioning were aware of the contingency involved. Experiment II attempted to examine the effects of prior history with the verbal reinforcer on vicarious verbal conditioning by providing seven groups of subjects with varying classic conditioning histories prior to vicarious verbal conditioning. The null results associated with this experiment were hypothesized to be due to the fact that the vicarious verbal conditioning took place in a language laboratory where the subjects could hear but not see the model. Experiment III replicated Experiment II in a live group context as was done in Experiment I. The results showed that vicarious verbal conditioning was again found to take place, that associating the verbal reinforcer with a tone or tone plus money via forward classic conditioning potentiated the effects of the verbal reinforcer, that backward classic conditioning did not potentiate the reinforcer, d) nor did either of two sensitization procedures potentiate the effects of the verbal reinforcer. Both aware and unaware subjects evidenced vicarious verbal conditioning.

The Impact of Disability: A Family Crisis

A disability experienced by one family member impacts on all individuals in the family unit and influences their typical pattern of interaction. The process of individual and family adjustment to disability, a family crisis, is seen in a case study of Sam and his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The individual, family and social adjustment issues, including redefinition of family, social, sexual and work roles, are examined in a real live context. Tentative recommendations for professionals working with families in which an individual becomes disabled are developed from personal interviews with Sam and his family.