Effects of model warmth on imitation learning in adult chronic psychotics.

Tested predictions derived from social learning research with children, employing experimental dyads. In a factorial design, 18 male and 18 female adult chronic psychotic inpatients either (a) interacted with an adult model who was noncontingently warm and rewarding, (b) interacted with a neutral and nonrewarding model, or (c) were not exposed to a model. In a 2nd phase, the model displayed task responses and novel behaviors incidental to the task, and the S's subsequent imitation of the model was recorded. Findings support the hypotheses that adult chronic psychotics can acquire new behaviors through observation of a model without contingent reward to either party, and that a previously positive relationship with a model facilitates such learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)