ABSTRACT
We conducted preference assessments with 4 typically developing children to identify potential reinforcers and assessed the reinforcing efficacy of those stimuli. Next, we tested two predictions of economic theory: that overall consumption (reinforcers obtained) would decrease as the unit price (response requirement per reinforcer) increased and that the cost and benefit components that defined unit price would not influence overall consumption considerably when unit price values were equal. We tested these predictions by arranging unit price such that the denominator was one (e.g., two responses produced one reinforcer) or two (e.g., four responses produced two reinforcers). Results showed that consumption decreased as unit price increased and that unit price values with different components produced similar consumption.
Subject(s)
Child Behavior/physiology , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Economics , Reinforcement, Psychology , Child, Preschool , Consumer Behavior , Female , Humans , Male , Models, Economic , Motivation/physiology , Reinforcement ScheduleABSTRACT
Two approaches for educating college students about the need for organ donors were compared. The experimental group (N = 162) watched a video-taped dramatization of an organ procurement coordinator asking the family members of a recently deceased loved one if they would donate their loved one's organs. Contained in this videotape was demographic information about three adults who needed an organ transplant. The control group (N = 169) saw the same videotape minus the demographic information. Extrapolating from research on altruism, we hypothesized that information about potential organ recipients would increase the viewer's willingness to donate a next-of-kin's organs and their own willingness to become an organ donor. Results supported this hypothesis. Compared to the control group, the experimental group was more willing to donate a next-of-kin's organs and take action to become an organ donor. We tentatively conclude that providing information about potential organ recipients increases the willingness of college students to become organ donors.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Organ Transplantation/psychology , Tissue Donors/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Altruism , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Videotape RecordingABSTRACT
An ABAB design was used to assess the effects of a tactile prompting device (i.e., a vibrating pager) as a prompt for the social initiations of 3 children with autism during free-play activities with typically developing peers. Results indicated that the tactile prompt was effective in increasing verbal initiations for all 3 children, and responses to peers' initiations were higher for 2 participants when the tactile prompt was used. Efforts to reduce the frequency of prompts while still maintaining rates of initiations were partially successful for 1 participant.
