Interrelationships among subject, experimenter, and situational variables.

An experiment was performed which employed, not only samples of college Ss, but, also, samples of college Es. The individual difference variables were sex and hostility scores of Ss and Es. Degree of personal contract between S and E and E's prestige value were experimentally manipulated. These variables were studied in a situation in which Ss were reinforced for emission of 1st-person pronouns. The results showed that reinforcement led to an increase in response of the reinforced class, but nonreinforcement failed to result in extinction effects. Both individual difference and experimental variables significantly influenced S's performance. These findings indicate the value of approaching experimental situations from the point of view of interpersonal transactions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)