Human schedule performance, protocol analysis, and the "silent dog" methodology

  1. Cabello, F. 2
  2. Luciano, C. 3
  3. Gomez, I. 3
  4. Barnes-Holmes, D. 1
  1. 1 National University of Ireland
    info

    National University of Ireland

    Dublín, Irlanda

    ROR https://ror.org/00shsf120

  2. 2 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

  3. 3 Universidad de Almería
    info

    Universidad de Almería

    Almería, España

    ROR https://ror.org/003d3xx08

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Journal:
Psychological Record

ISSN: 0033-2933

Year of publication: 2004

Volume: 54

Issue: 3

Pages: 405-422

Type: Article

SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-4344693338 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Psychological Record

Abstract

The purpose of the current experiment was to investigate the role of private verbal behavior on the operant performances of human adults, using a protocol analysis procedure with additional methodological controls (the "silent dog" method). Twelve subjects were exposed to fixed ratio 8 and differential reinforcement of low rate 3-s schedules. For 6 subjects, verbal self-reports were recorded concurrently during exposure to the reinforcement schedules. Results showed a significant relationship between certain types of rules and task performances, and especially between counting and schedule-sensitive performance. A detailed analysis also suggested that counting facilitated the discrimination of programmed contingencies in the current task. Suggestions are offered for further research involving the use of the protocol analysis methodology.