Studies in Inhibition and Maternal Control

Abstract

Five experiments were designed to study the acquisition of inhibition as a negative drive in the personality of paranoid schizophrenics, as contrasted with the personality of sociopaths, where excitation is the prevalent drive. This drive of inhibition was considered as acquired in the learning situation of maternal control and its reduction depends upon an atmosphere of freedom. Latency of reaction to the cessation of a negative stimulus was used to measure the presence, acquisition, and reduction of the drive of inhibition. Inhibition was verified as a drive among paranoid schizophrenics and was viewed as increasing and decreasing by experimental manipulation as other drives. Its acquisition was related to the learning situation of maternal control. A free atmosphere of self-determination was basic to the reduction of inhibition.