The influence of reinforcement and punishment in a minimal social situation.

Abstract

"Two Ss, isolated from each other, were provided with two push buttons by means of which each could give the other a shock or score. The Ss were divided into a Weak Shock and a Strong Shock group. All Ss were merely told that they could press the two buttons in any manner that they pleased (no information was given concerning the purpose of the buttons). Each S was told to make as many points as possible. His score was indicated on a counter in front of S. It was found that the proportion of the total number of responses (both score and shock) that were correct (score responses) was significantly higher for the Strong Shock group. Learning occurred in the Strong Shock group within the first 5 minutes of the 25 minute experimental session. Learning was not, however, evident in the Weak Shock group.".