An Investigation of Differential Reinforced Imitation Training on Imitative Behavior

Abstract

The function of reinforcement as a performance versus a learning variable was examined with the use of a number of varying imitation training conditions. Forty white and 40 black Ss were used. The analysis consisted of five 2 (Testing Situation) × 2 (White versus Black children) × 8 (Training Conditions) factorials with the use of an analysis of variance technique. The results question the hypothesis that reinforcement is only a performance variable. Partial support is provided for the assumption that imitative behavior may be maintained through similarity of responding where imitation has been acquired through a strong history of reinforcement for imitation. Few racial differences were discovered.