THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT IN THE DISCRIMINATION LEARNING OF NORMAL AND LOW ACHIEVING CHILDREN'

This investigation attempted to clarify the effects of different classes of reinforcement on the size discrimination learning of normal and low achieving third grade middle class boys. The classes of reinforcement consisted of tangible reinforcement, person reinforcement (praise), and performance reinforcement (correctness of response). Each of these reinforce%s was presented on 'a reward-nothing combination basis. The resul:..s indicated that the subjects did hot all respond homogeneously to a particular class, of reinforcement when achievement level was considered. The low achieving boys had a higher percentage of correct responses on the learning task under tangible reinforcement the, under person or performance reinforcement, while the normal achieving boys performed more effectively under person and performance reinforcement than under tangible reinforcement. (Author/TA