Date of Award:

5-1978

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Glendon Casto

Committee

Glendon Casto

Committee

Sebastian Striefel

Committee

John McLaughlin

Committee

James Shaver

Committee

David Stone

Abstract

Conflicting data have been reported concerning the effects of reinforcement procedures on the intelligence test-taking behavior of normal children. Additionally, no adequately designed study to date has examined the possibility that sex may be a variable in determining childrens' response to intelligence tests administered under reinforcement conditions. The present study was designed to determine if the scores of children administered two tests, the Wechsler Intelligence vi Scale for Children (WISC) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), would be differentially affected by reinforcement procedures incorporated into the administration procedures. Additionally, it was designed to determine if sex of the children might interact in determining the effects of the reinforcement procedures. Two groups of 12 children (six males and six females) were administered either the WISC or PPVT under standard conditions, and again under reinforcement conditions after a nine day interval. Results showed a significant test by administration interaction resulting from a significant increase in scores by the WISC group and a nonsignificant decrease by the PPVT group during the second administration. No significant effects due to sex were found. It is concluded that the particular intelligence test administered a child interacts with the reinforcement contingence present during its administration in determining the child's score. Additionally, it is concluded that, at least for the population studied, sex does not affect the application of reinforcement procedures to intelligence tests performance.

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