| Abstract: | In a 2-phase investigation, the technique of successive approximation (shaping) and fading were combined with contingent positive reinforcement in the form of tokens to modify Rod-and-Frame Test (RFT) performance of 60 hospitalized chronic male patients. A similar group of patients was subjected to the same number of trials without these techniques to control for practice effects. RFT performance was significantly improved, and the improvement remained consistent on a 1-mo follow-up. Some evidence for practice effects leading to improved performance also appeared. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to the study of educative procedures and to the basic theoretical construct of "psychological differentiation" with which RFT performance is closely allied. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
