Behavioral Contagion

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Abstract
4 separate experiments on the contagion of game-playing behavior were conducted. Exp. I indicated that contagion occurred whether the game engaged in by the confederate was of high or low valence to S, that mere activity on the part of the experimental confederate did not lead to game playing, and that contagion tended toward specificity. Exp. II indicated specificity of contagion was not necessary, that contagion was not entirely due to a desire to compere in game playing. Exp. III failed to produce contagion of a low-valence game with no restraints against game playing. Exp. IV failed to produce contagion of a high-valence game with no restraints against game playing. Throughout the 4 experiments there was no relationship between contagion and Asch-type conformity. The observed contagion was mediated by reduction of restraints. The data were not adequate to specify the manner in which restraints were reduced, although several alternatives were discussed and evaluated.

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