Suggestibility and verbal conditioning

Abstract

Abstract This experiment examined postural sway suggestibility as a parameter of verbal conditioning. Plural noun responses were conditioned with “good” as a reinforcer. Sa were 82 college freshmen and sophomore students. Ss were divided into four suggestibility groups and a control group. Conditioning was positively correlated with suggestibility level. The lowest suggestibility group appeared to be counter-conditioning. No Is below lOOmm of body sway ahowed any indication of conditioning. Implications for verbal conditioning research and selection of patienta for psychotherapy were discussed.