Verbal Conditioning As A Psychotherapeutic Model: The Effects of Social Deprivation

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of social deprivation on the conditionability of adult female subjects. The prediction that social deprivation of relatively brief duration would heighten sensitivity to minimal reinforcing cues supplied by the interviewer and would result in a significantly higher frequency of self-reference statements in a simulated therapy interview, was confirmed. The findings were interpreted as supporting the Gewirtz-Baer hypothesis of social drive as a motivational factor which enhances subsequent effectiveness of social reward. However, the possible concurrent influence of anxiety, ‘set’ or ambiguity in producing the verbal conditioning effects could not be ruled out.