Effects of Modeling and Reinforcement on the Acquisition and Generalization of Question-Asking Behavior

ZIMMERMAN, BARRY J., and PIKE, EARL O. Effects of Modeling and Reinforcement on the Acquisition and Generalization of Question-asking Behavior. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1972, 43, 892-907. The question-asking behavior of disadvantaged Mexican-American second-grade children was found readily modifiable using an adult model offering contingent praise. Lower levels of response were produced when only praise was presented. Both conditions numerically surpassed an untreated control group's question-asking levels. Causal relationships were established between the treatment variations and child question production through a multiple-base-line procedure which produced staggered increases and decreases when treatment was either instated or withdrawn, respectively. Some generalization of questionasking behavior was observed when a new teacher who did not model or praise was introduced. After training, individual posttesting revealed that