Effects of Different Reinforcers: A Comparison across Age Levels

Abstract

The relative effectiveness of two reinforcing contingencies referred to as verbal and physical reinforcements were compared as a function of age and sex. 20 males and 20 females at each of four age levels represented prekindergarten and Grades 3, 6, and 9. A highly significant difference was found between the reinforcing conditions, physical reinforcement being more effective than verbal at all age levels. These results had been predicted in the two oldest age groups, however, hypotheses made for the two youngest groups were not supported. Verbal reinforcement in combination with the physical reinforcement resulted in no greater response than did the physical reinforcement alone. Verbal reinforcement was significantly more effective among prekindergarten females than among third grade females, while males at both age levels were similarly affected by verbal reinforcement.