this post was submitted on 09 May 2025
493 points (95.4% liked)

Comic Strips

18437 readers
2501 users here now

Comic Strips is a community for those who love comic stories.

The rules are simple:

Web of links

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] ZoopZeZoop@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

I don't know what study you are referencing, but in ALL the behavior analytic literature on "self-control" that I know of, the experimenters provide the reinforcement as part of the study. Not only that, but there are usually repeated trials with the same individual to establish a baseline and some sort of experimental treatment to see if self-control-related behaviors can be shaped. If the research is done with individuals who are children or have Developmental Disabilities, they usually ask that whatever the reinforcers are be restricted for some amount of time prior to experimental sessions to minimize outside influence on the study. So, families are usually asked not to give that specific candy, or whatever, to the individual during the trial, but there will be a handful of opportunities to receive some.