Analysis of the role of programmed consequences in rule following

Authors

  • Carla Cristina Paiva Paracampo
  • Luiz Carlos de Albuquerque

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v8i2.3259

Keywords:

rule-controlled behavior, programmed consequences, matching-to sample, children

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of different types of consequences on rule following, 14 children were exposed to a matching-to-sample procedure. The task involved touching one of two comparison stimulus pairs in the presence of a contextual stimulus. In Condition 1, no response was reinforced. In condition 2, phase 1, rule following avoided the loss of reinforcers. In phase 2, the contingencies were changed and rule following resulted in the loss of reinforcers. In phase 3 contingencies reverted to those in effect in phase 1. In Condition 3, rule following was not reinforced and non-rule following was reinforced. In Condition 1, all four participants followed the stipulated rule. In condition 2, all four participants followed the rule established in phase 1, and then behaved in accordance with programmed contingencies in the subsequent phases. In condition 3, three participants followed the rule, whereas three others stopped following the rule. These results suggest that the maintenance of rule following may depend, in part, on the type of consequence produced either by rule-following or non-rule following behavior.

Keywords: rule-controlled behavior; programmed consequences: matching-to sample; children.

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How to Cite

Paracampo, C. C. P., & de Albuquerque, L. C. (2004). Analysis of the role of programmed consequences in rule following. Interação Em Psicologia, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v8i2.3259

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2004)

Section

Articles

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