Token Reinforcement and Selective Exposure to Persuasion.
Abstract
Subjects with neutral attitudes were shown pairs of statements, one of which supported and one of which opposed extension of the three-mile international maritime limit. Some subjects received a nickel from a token dispenser whenever they pressed a switch indicating preference for a pro-extension argument; others received nickels for choosing con-extension statements. Control subjects simply made choices without reinforcement. Later the subjects were offered a choice of listening to one or both of two messages advocating, respectively, that a new African nation be either encouraged or disuaded in efforts to unilaterally extend its maritime boundaries. The reinforcement results suggest that selective exposure to information can be viewed as an operant response that can be manipulated by reinforcement tokens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA016293
Entities
People
- Elliott Mcginnies
- Richard Wellins
- Rose Rolando Forbes
Organizations
- American University