Button-Pressing for a Time-off Reward during Sensory Deprivation: V. Effects of Relatively Comfortable and Uncomfortable Sessions

Abstract

10 Ss underwent two 3-hr. sensory deprivation (S-D) sessions exactly 1 wk. apart. One session was designed to be potentially more discomforting for Ss and was termed the uncomfortable session. The other session was termed the comfortable session. The orders of sessions were counterbalanced with 5 Ss used for each of the 2 orders. During both sessions Ss were given the opportunity to button-press for a promised time-off reward. Before and after each session Ss rated their state of well-being. Analyses of the results indicated that Ss engaged in significantly more button-pressing for the promised time-off reward during the uncomfortable session than during the comfortable session.