CHILDRENS RESPONSIVENESS TO SOCIAL REINFORCEMENT AS A FUNCTION OF SHORT-TERM PRELIMINARY SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND LONG-TERM SOCIAL DEPRIVATION

Investigated the performances of 3 groups (institutionalized, noninstitutionalized lower class, and nonstitutionalized middle class) of boys on a positively reinforced social reinforcement task. Prior to performing on the criterion task, each S experienced 1 of 3 preliminary experimental conditions: positive, neutral, or no interaction with the E. Across experimental conditions, the institutionalized group persisted longer on the criterion task than the other 2 groups. Both groups of noninstitutionalized Ss in the stranger condition played for a less amount of time than those in the positive or neutral conditions. This effect of experimental conditions was not found for the institutionalized group. Lower-class noninstitutionalized Ss were less wary (lower negative reaction tendency) than were middle-class noninstitutionalized Ss. Across groups, younger Ss were less wary than older Ss. Within the institutionalized groups, a negative reaction was found between degree of preinstitutional deprivation and total playing time. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.