Type and frequency of praise as determinants of favorability of self‐image: An experiment in a field setting¹

Abstract

The overall purpose of the present research was to devise a set of procedures which would efFectively commumcate a "success expenence" to a sample of lower-class Black youth who were engaged in vanous job-traming programs The specific objective of the study was to ascertam how social evaluation might be most effectively presented m order to produce a more favorable self-imageThe major focus was on changes m self-image because it was assumed that satisfactory use of whatever skills an individual possesses will not be achieved unless an adequate level of selfesteem exists For example, it has been found that (a) individuals of high self-esteem are more hkely to engage m successful goal-oriented behavior than those of low self-esteem (Stot-

Contemporary theories of depression: Critique and comparison.

“…There are two studies whose designs do disentangle rate from control to a modest extent and whose dependent measures probably have some relevance to depression. In the first (Baron, Bass, & Vietze, 1971), objective contingency was held constant while rate was varied. Specifically, all subjects received noncontingent social reinforcement, some for 25% of the responses, some for 75%.…”

Protocol Materials as a Tool for Changing Teacher Behavior

“…Students generally tend to repeat behavior for which they have been praised. It should be noted that in some contexts and cultures, "too much" praise may backfire ( 1) . For this reason, the technique of using student ideas is included since most students will respond positively when given credit for their idea which is used in helping a discussion along.…”