Abstract
In two experiments, attempts were made to improve visual acuity through reinforcement. In Experiment I, four myopic subjects were given five blocks of 24 trials in a conditioning task. The target stimuli were slides of Landolt rings, with 14 different sizes (increasing on a logarichmic scale) and 12 different stimuli representing each size. Trial blocks of contingent social approval for a correct response were alternated with noncontingent blocks in which approval was delivered randomly. Results permitted the inference that contingent approval resulted in increased acuity. In Experiment II, essentially the same task was used to compare the performance of three groups of subjects (each N=20): contingent reinforcement, noncontingent response, and no-response control. Results showed a nonsignificant increase in acuity and a significant decrease in refractive error. Possible directions for further research are discussed, and ethical considerations are noted.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 181-188 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Optometry and Vision Science |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1974 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
Cite this
Effect of reinforcement of visual acuity in myopic adults. / Giddings, John W.; Lanyon, Richard I.
In: Optometry and Vision Science, Vol. 51, No. 3, 1974, p. 181-188.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of reinforcement of visual acuity in myopic adults
AU - Giddings, John W.
AU - Lanyon, Richard I.
PY - 1974
Y1 - 1974
N2 - In two experiments, attempts were made to improve visual acuity through reinforcement. In Experiment I, four myopic subjects were given five blocks of 24 trials in a conditioning task. The target stimuli were slides of Landolt rings, with 14 different sizes (increasing on a logarichmic scale) and 12 different stimuli representing each size. Trial blocks of contingent social approval for a correct response were alternated with noncontingent blocks in which approval was delivered randomly. Results permitted the inference that contingent approval resulted in increased acuity. In Experiment II, essentially the same task was used to compare the performance of three groups of subjects (each N=20): contingent reinforcement, noncontingent response, and no-response control. Results showed a nonsignificant increase in acuity and a significant decrease in refractive error. Possible directions for further research are discussed, and ethical considerations are noted.
AB - In two experiments, attempts were made to improve visual acuity through reinforcement. In Experiment I, four myopic subjects were given five blocks of 24 trials in a conditioning task. The target stimuli were slides of Landolt rings, with 14 different sizes (increasing on a logarichmic scale) and 12 different stimuli representing each size. Trial blocks of contingent social approval for a correct response were alternated with noncontingent blocks in which approval was delivered randomly. Results permitted the inference that contingent approval resulted in increased acuity. In Experiment II, essentially the same task was used to compare the performance of three groups of subjects (each N=20): contingent reinforcement, noncontingent response, and no-response control. Results showed a nonsignificant increase in acuity and a significant decrease in refractive error. Possible directions for further research are discussed, and ethical considerations are noted.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84932402551&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 51
SP - 181
EP - 188
JO - Optometry and Vision Science
JF - Optometry and Vision Science
SN - 1040-5488
IS - 3
ER -