An experimental approximation of thought reform.

Thought reform processes were simulated in the laboratory with 96 Ss. The Ss were required to evolve an extended series of alternative responses from their own behavior repertoire, in successive approximation to the criterion demanded by the E, which remained unknown to the Ss. This study sought to achieve the abandonment of a basic behavior pattern and the adoption of a new behavior pattern of more than momentary duration. The experimentally induced changes of the Ss, in the direction opposite to their starting positions, persisted over an 8-day follow-up period. Sex and the use of positive or negative signals had no effect on the magnitude of the changes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)