Changes in Autokinetic Perception as a Function of the Transfer of Conditioning Effects

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the spatial region in which autokinetic movement occurs can be altered by means of negative reinforcement operations. Three groups were employed. Control Group I was tested on autokinetic perception, and after a 4 min. delay was retested. Control Group II viewed and reported the location of a moving light with no negative reinforcement between the test and retest of autokinetic perception. The Experimental Group received the same training as Control Group II, but was negatively reinforced while viewing and reporting the location of a moving light. A reinforcement schedule provided 75 % of the reinforcements on the predominant side (left or right) of initial autokinetic movement and 25% of the reinforcements on the opposite side. The data supported the hypothesis that the spatial region of autokinetic movement can be altered by conditioning operations intervening between test and retest. An explanation of the results in terms of the conditioning of affect to the individual's subjective space is proposed and some implications of these effects for perception and behaviour are discussed

Audiology · Cognitive psychology · Conditioning · Developmental psychology · Perception · Reinforcement · Statistics · Time perception · Behavioral and Psychological Studies · Neuroscience · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Autokinetic phenomenon

  J R Royce, Archie B Carran et al.•Psychological Bulletin•1966

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