Biomaterial Database

Effects of social reinforcement for visual attention on classroom learning by disadvantaged preschoolers. 1977

L A Serbin, and M I Geller, and S E Geller

To investigate the relationship between visual attention and classroom learning in a disadvantaged preschool population students' attending was experimentally maintained at high levels, using a social reinforcement procedure, and recall of visual and auditory educational materials was examined. Subjects were 16 white children of low income whose mean age was 5.1 yr. and who were students at a Head Start center. A two-group, randomized-blocks design was employed. Reinforcement of attending resulted in greater recall of auditory stimuli by experimental subjects, while a decline was found in recall performance by control subjects. Recall of visual material was not significantly affected by the treatment. Correlations between attending and both auditory and visual recall were statistically significant.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008568	Memory	Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
D012056	Reinforcement, Social	The strengthening of a response with a social reward such as a nod of approval, a parent's love or attention.	Social Reinforcement,Reinforcements, Social,Social Reinforcements
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003467	Cultural Deprivation	The absence of certain expected and acceptable cultural phenomena in the environment which results in the failure of the individual to communicate and respond in the most appropriate manner within the context of society. Language acquisition and language use are commonly used in assessing this concept.	Cultural Disadvantagement,Cultural Deprivations,Cultural Disadvantagements,Deprivation, Cultural,Deprivations, Cultural,Disadvantagement, Cultural,Disadvantagements, Cultural
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001288	Attention	Focusing on certain aspects of current experience to the exclusion of others. It is the act of heeding or taking notice or concentrating.	Focus of Attention,Selective Attention,Social Attention,Attention Focus,Attention, Selective,Attention, Social,Selective Attentions
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014490	United States Office of Economic Opportunity	A division of the Executive Branch of the United States government concerned with overall planning, promoting, and administering programs relative to the provision of opportunities for economic advancement.	Office of Economic Opportunity (U.S.),Office of Economic Opportunity