Effects of task and experimenter feedback on the self-reinforcement behavior of internals and externals.

Abstract

Internal and external locus of control subjects were tested on three verbal recognition memory tasks. Subjects administered self-reinforcement for correct responses on the first and third tasks, which had the same difficulty level. The second task was either more or less difficult than the other two and was accompanied by experimenter reinforcement. All subjects thus received external evaluation that had variable relevance to their self-evaluation. There were no differences in self-reinforcement base rate (reinforcement rate on the first task), but there were several significant and contrasting changes on the third task. Internals attended to both task differences and external evaluation. Externals responded only to evaluation, apparently not attending to task factors. Results are discussed in terms of locus of control and in terms of self-reinforcement behavior.

Predicting successful weight loss after treatment

“…Self-control consists of evaluation and reinforcement of one's own behavior (Bellack, 1976;Mahoney, 1974). Whereas internals are adept a t selfevaluation and self-reinforcement, externals are more dependent upon others for the evaluation of their behavior (Bellack, 1975;Bellack & Tillman, 1974). During the treatment program externals may have derived the evaluation and reinforcement for their eating behavior from the E as well as from the other group members.…”

Treatment strategies for therapists conducting weight control programs.

“…Perri & Richards (1977) report that overeaters who claimed to have dealt successfully with a weight problem without aid of a therapist utilized self-reward procedures more often than those who had been unsuccessful. Bellack & Tillman (1974) have suggested that individuals who score high on external locus of control tests may make less effective use of self-reinforcement in producing behavioral change. Indeed, Balch & Ross (1975) found that both completion and success of a selfcontrol weight program were correlated with an internal locus of control on Rotter's (1966) scale.…”

Depression, psychopathology, and self‐serving attributions

“…After being assessed, subjects participated in Bellack & Tillman's (1974) verbal recognition task. Briefly, the task procedure requires subjects to differentiate previously presented nonsense syllables from novel stimuli.…”