E-Expectancy and the Role of Awareness in Verbal Conditioning

Abstract

Different groups of Es were led to expect that verbal conditioning either could or could not occur without awareness. Both groups tested independent sets of 19 Ss who constructed 100 sentences beginning with one of six pronouns and containing a past tense verb. For experimental Ss sentences beginning with I or We were reinforced by the word “good.” Conditioning effects were as predicted by the expectancies of Es. Ss who were unaware of the correct contingency conditioned only in the group tested by Es who were led to expect that result.