Open AccessALONENESS AND TOGETHERNESS AS DRIVE CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN 1
Author(s) -
Rosenhan David
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
ets research bulletin series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2333-8504
pISSN - 0424-6144
DOI - 10.1002/j.2333-8504.1966.tb00138.x
Subject(s) - reinforcement , psychology , developmental psychology , set (abstract data type) , valence (chemistry) , anxiety , social deprivation , social psychology , physics , quantum mechanics , psychiatry , computer science , programming language , economics , economic growth
In order to examine the effects of aloneness (social deprivation) and togetherness (social satiation) on the subsequent responsiveness of children to reinforcers, younger and older S s were socially deprived or satiated and then exposed to either positive or negative, social or nonsocial reinforcement The findings indicate that socially deprived children are indifferent to the valence of the subsequent reinforcement, so long as it is social. Socially satiated children are subsequently most responsive to nonsocial reinforcement (or pure information). The findings are more consistent with a drive than an anxiety interpretation of social deprivation. Additional findings indicate that younger children respond more to negative reinforcement, while older children show a strong preference for positive reinforcement. The results are examined for their implications for theories of social drives, and for the limitations they set on the development of problem‐solving behavior.