Previously published studies have shown that behavior under the control of instructions is likely to follow the instructions and not change when the schedule of reinforcement changes. A series of four experiments were designed to expand our knowledge of why rules produce this insensitivity. Once responding had been established on a multiple DRL 6 s/FR 18 schedule of reinforcement, an unannounced change in contingencies was introduced. All four experiments contained sufficient numbers of participants to permit the application of statistics in the data analysis. The experiments investigated (a) the effects of instructions on the speed and accuracy with which a new behavior was learned; (b) the "sensitivity" or rapidity of adjustment of the behavior to an unannounced change in contingencies as a function of whether it had been learned with the help of instructions. Experiment I attempted to replicate previous "insensitivity of rule-governed behavior" findings and examined schedule sensitivity as the multiple DRL 6s/FR 18 schedule changed to extinction/extinction. Experiment 2 aimed to increase this series of studies' ecological validity, by changing the schedule to something other (FR 18/FR 18) than extinction/extinction. In an attempt to counteract the insensitivity effect, Experiments 1 and 2 also examined the effect of a simple warning that "conditions may change at any time" on the behavior's rapidity of adjustment to changes in contingencies. In light of the results of the first two experiments, a selectionist framework was adopted in Experiments 3 and 4 to provide a procedural explanation for the insensitivity effect. The effects of the length of training, and of a variety of instructions were investigated in relation to the insensitivity of rule-governed behavior effect. Overall, the results have shown that instructions facilitate the acquisition of a new behavior. One of the studies has shown that providing a simple warning that conditions may change increased sensitivity in behavior following a change in contingencies. The results have suggested the elimination of length of training as a potential factor on the insensitivity of rule-governed behavior, in this specific series of studies. Providing a variety of instructions impacted significantly more on the Minimal Instructions groups' than the Elaborate Instructions groups' sensitivity to a change in contingencies. The results are explained in terms of the restriction in the behavioral repertoire during a change in contingencies.

Mental representation of hidden objects by pigeons was tested for. Experiment 1 used a series of Piagetian tests of "object permanence" to measure pigeons' capacity to find a stationary food target behind a screen. Performance on these tests did not differ significantly from chance in spite of manipulations designed to enhance the motivational value of the hidden object. Experiment 2 used operant contingencies to test whether pigeons could mentally represent a moving dot on a computer monitor that temporarily "disappeared" behind a screen. Two target durations were used (12 and 24 seconds) for the dot to move across a computer screen. Pigeons were reinforced if their first keypeck occurred when the dot was hidden but not if it occurred when the dot was visible. Phase 1 consisted of target-12 trials, phase 2 consisted of target-24 trials, and phase 3 consisted of alternating sessions of target-12 and target-24 trials. Results demonstrate that while pigeons were able to use timing strategies to respond correctly with an unconstrained choice method, evidence for the use of mental representations by pigeons was inconclusive. Both experiments are discussed in terms of the mechanisms used by pigeons to find hidden objects.

The present study investigated the relationship between competitive behaviour in a conflict situation and field-dependence-independence. It was hypothesized that individuals who scored toward the field-independent end of the FI-FD continuum would tend to be competitive whereas individuals who scored toward the field-dependent end would tend to be less competitive. The matching of individuals according to cognitive style was also considered. It was predicted that a FI-FI match would result in a greater number of competitive responses than a FD-FD match. The third hypothesis predicted that a FI-FD match would result in more competitive than cooperative responses being made. The research sample included individuals over nineteen years of age drawn from a variety of academic and occupational backgrounds. Eighty-four individuals participated (forty-four females and forty males). They were classified as either field-dependent or field-independent based on the Hidden Figures Test V and assigned to one of the three matched conditions. They then played the Prisoner's Dilemma game; the experimental conflict situation. T-tests were calculated comparing the mean number of competitive responses. The level of significance was set at (p < .05). Statistical significance was obtained for each hypothesis. These results indicated that there is a relationship between the degree of psychological differentation of an individual and his behaviour in a two-person conflict situation.

A series of three experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of self-monitoring for inducing weight loss as a function of goal-setting and unit of behavior monitored. The purpose of the pilot experiment was to provide a preliminary view of the usefulness of restraint monitoring as compared to caloric intake monitoring for weight reduction, of the contribution of goal-setting instructions to self-monitoring effectiveness, and of the use of implicit as compared to explicit goals in combination with restraint monitoring. Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 were both designed to look at the influence of various goal levels on the effects of self-monitoring, with the difference that caloric intake and restraint served as the unit of monitoring in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 respectively. The analysis of the results indicated that restraint monitoring was as effective as caloric intake monitoring for inducing weight loss at the end of a 4-week period, that the effects of self-monitoring as a function of goal-setting varied according to the monitoring unit utilized, that the use of implicit goals in combination with restraint monitoring produced the same effects as the use of explicit goals, and that different levels of either caloric intake or restraint goal did not differentially influence self-monitoring effectiveness. The implications of these results were discussed and suggestions for follow-up research were proposed.

Of the numerous motivational variables that influence human behavior, the present investigation has endeavored to limit the scope of study to ego-involvement and group identification. To determine to what extent ego-involvement and group identification are effective motivational determinants, attention tests were administered under conditions of control to three groups of high school students matched according to age and I.Q. One group was put in an indifferent setting; a second group was put in a group identification setting; a third group was put in an ego-involvement setting. Formulations containing essential elements of the motivational factors were given to the students prior to testing. "t" scores were computed and revealed the following: a "t" score of .77 was found between the group with the indifferent setting and the group with the group identification; a "t" score of 3.8 was found between the group with the group identification and the group with the ego-involvement type of motivation; a "t" score of 4.58 was found between the group with the indifferent setting and the one with the ego-involvement. In the last two scores the difference was significant. An effort is made to account for these differences. Suggestions for further study are made for academic groups and the two sexes.

This study investigated the vicarious hostility catharsis hypothesis, i.e., the idea that the experience of vicarious aggression (aggressive film exposure) following aggressive arousal, serves to reduce partially the instigation to aggress and the probability of subsequent aggressive behaviour. Concurrently, three other hypotheses yielding differential predictions were also investigated. These were the Distraction-Attentional Shift Hypothesis, independently suggested by J. Singer and A. Bandura, D. Zillmann's Modified Attentional Shift Hypothesis, and L. Berkowitz's Aggressive Cue Model. Two film segments were produced that significantly differed in aggressive-cue potential and did not significantly differ in their distraction-attentional shift potential (interest, excitement, involvement and enjoyment), or in their excitatory potential (degree of physiological excitation produced by the films). Ss were differentially instigated verbally (angered, non-angered) during a bogus verbal aptitude test after which they saw the aggressive film, the non-aggressive film, or no film. Following this, they either filled out an evaluation questionnaire which was potentially harmful to the instigator and reflected their aggressive behaviour, or they answered a mood check list assessing hostility (aggressive arousal or anger) and tension. Results did not support the vicarious catharsis hypothesis. With respect to the hostility measure, both films reduced hostility in angered Ss to that of the non-instigated groups. There were no significant differences in hostility between these conditions. This was interpreted as evidence for the Distraction-Attentional Shift Hypothesis. With respect to the measure of aggressive behaviour, the instigated groups expressed significantly more aggression than the non-instigated groups. In the instigated conditions, compared to the no-exposure control group, the non-aggressive film reduced aggression significantly. The reduction in aggression following aggressive film exposure was generally not significant. These results could alternatively be explained by Berkowitz's Aggressive-Cue Model or Zillmann's excitation-transfer paradigm. The difference between hostile motive and aggressive behaviour in tests of vicarious catharsis, seems to be indicated in this study.

Abstract not available.

Abstract not available.

Abstract not available.

Abstract not available.