Efficacy of Written Modeling and Vicarious Reinforcement in Increasing Use of Problem-Solving Methods by Distressed Individuals

Title
Efficacy of Written Modeling and Vicarious Reinforcement in Increasing Use of Problem-Solving Methods by Distressed Individuals
Publication Date
2008
Author(s)
Coates, Celia Jane
Malouff, John Michael
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6728-7497
Email: jmalouff@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jmalouff
Rooke, Sally Erin
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Heldref Publications
Place of publication
United States of America
UNE publication id
une:3668
Abstract
The authors evaluated an application of social cognitive theory principles intended to increase adherence to a problem-solving intervention. The study included 132 adult volunteers who wanted to reduce their distress levels. All participants received group training in problemsolving methods. Before attempting to solve at least 1 distressing problem in their lives over the next 3 weeks, participants were randomly assigned to either (a) a modeling with vicarious reinforcement condition in which they received 3 personal anecdotes written by individuals who had successfully applied problem-solving methods to a real problem or (b) a control condition in which they received a fact sheet about problem solving. Word counts of problem-solving writing, self-reports of adherence, and observer ratings of adherence showed that participants in the vicarious reinforcement condition demonstrated significantly higher adherence than did those in the control condition. These results provide support for the effectiveness of symbolic modeling and vicarious reinforcement in increasing adherence to problem-solving methods by individuals who want to decrease their distress.
Link
Citation
The Journal of Psychology, 142(4), p. 413-425
ISSN
1940-1019
0022-3980
Start page
413
End page
425

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