Verbal Conditioning without Awareness Using a Highly Discriminable, Monetary Reinforcer

Abstract

During discussion of a variety of topics by 2 undergraduates a target response, 1 of 3 affirmatives, was reinforced by one of the discussants by delivery of a nickel. Although nickel delivery increased the frequency of the target response, neither of the 2 subjects could describe the reinforcement contingency until the end of the third session. It was concluded that operant conditioning without awareness occurred even when the response was reinforced by the highly discriminable event of delivery of a nickel.