Effects of social reinforcement on operant crying

Abstract

Two preschool boys who showed a high frequency of operant crying were helped to develop more effective responses to mild frustrations. Teachers systematically applied reinforcement procedures: gave no attention to outcries, unless the child was actually hurt, and gave immediate approving attention to every more appropriate response to mildly distressful situations. Within a week, operant crying had practically disappeared in each case. Reversal of procedures reinstated operant crying responses in Subject 1. Return to original procedures quickly reduced operant crying to a very low level, which was maintained during the rest of the year. With Subject 2, reversal of procedures raised the operant crying level for a few days. Then suddenly the crying dropped out. When the crying rate remained at practically zero for several more days, all procedures were dropped. Shortly, operant crying again rose. The original procedures were again applied. Operant crying quickly dropped and remained negligible during the rest of the school year. The studies indicated that frequent crying may be largely a function of adult attention.