| Abstract: | Investigated the effect of presentation labels upon Ss' evaluation of behavior modification in 2 experiments with a total of 194 college students. In Exp I, 2 groups of undergraduates were shown identical videotapes of a teacher using reinforcement methods. In the 1st group the videotape was described as illustrative of "behavior modification," whereas the tape was labeled as "humanistic education" in the 2nd group. A questionnaire that required the Ss to evaluate the teacher and the lesson was then administered. Identical procedures were repeated in Exp II, which studied graduate students. For both samples, when the events on the videotape were described as illustrative of humanistic education, (a) the teacher received significantly more favorable ratings and (b) the teaching method was seen as significantly more likely to promote academic learning and emotional growth. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
