Instructions and Reinforcement in Modification of a Case of Astasia-Abasia

Abstract
The effects of instructions, social reinforcement, and sex of the therapist administering reinforcement contingencies were examined in an analysis of one case of astasia-abasia. Instructions alone appeared to result in some improvement in the patient's ability to walk, but a combination of instructions and contingent verbal praise (social reinforcement) yielded the most dramatic effects. The sex of the therapist administering contingencies did not seem relevant.