Control of food intake in children by reinforcement of relevant verbal behavior.

Amounts consumed of 4 foods were recorded for each child in nursery school. 10 children were randomly selected for repeated sessions of verbal conditioning, which occurred shortly before snack time, and consisted of reinforcing the verbal behavior (food term) denoting the food selected for manipulation. The data give evidence that when positive reinforcement is associated with the verbal response denoting a food, then the consumption of that food increases. Conceptually, food can be considered a stimulus that sets up a class of responses, including verbal and eating responses. If the verbal response in that class is reinforced, hence strengthened, then the other responses of that class will be strengthened as well. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)