Importance of Replication and Experimental Analysis in Behavioral Science: Examination of Factors Affecting Infants Choices

Researchers suggest individuals preference for others similar to themselves is innate, not learned. Mahajan and Wynn (2012) asked infants seated in their parents lap (N = 32) to choose between two foods, watch a show in which one puppet liked one food but not the other and the second puppet expressed the opposite preferences, and then choose one of the puppets; more infants (84%) chose the similar puppet, the one with the same food preference as the infant. These data are cited as evidence for our innate preference for similar others. We replicated and extended their methodology by including a parent bias manipulation and within-subject repeated measures. Infants (N = 24) were randomly assigned to make their first puppet choice before (Group 1) or after (Group 2) the parent bias manipulation. Few group differences were noted. On the first trial, a total of 37.5% of infants chose the similar puppet. Across at least 80% of trials, 12.5% of infants chose the similar puppet; 75% chose a puppet on the same side. Moreover, 16 (67%) parents reported their infants had little history with the two study foods. Results suggest factors other than innate preference account for infants puppet selections

Importance of Replication and Experimental Analysis in Behavioral Science: Examination of Factors Affecting Infants Choices

Researchers suggest individuals preference for others similar to themselves is innate, not learned. Mahajan and Wynn (2012) asked infants seated in their parents lap (N = 32) to choose between two foods, watch a show in which one puppet liked one food but not the other and the second puppet expressed the opposite preferences, and then choose one of the puppets; more infants (84%) chose the similar puppet, the one with the same food preference as the infant. These data are cited as evidence for our innate preference for similar others. We replicated and extended their methodology by including a parent bias manipulation and within-subject repeated measures. Infants (N = 24) were randomly assigned to make their first puppet choice before (Group 1) or after (Group 2) the parent bias manipulation. Few group differences were noted. On the first trial, a total of 37.5% of infants chose the similar puppet. Across at least 80% of trials, 12.5% of infants chose the similar puppet; 75% chose a puppet on the same side. Moreover, 16 (67%) parents reported their infants had little history with the two study foods. Results suggest factors other than innate preference account for infants puppet selections

The Effect of Product Characteristics on Recycling Behavior

The United States generated 251 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2012 (EPA), half of which entered landfills; paper and paperboard comprised the largest portion. Recycling paper should reduce waste and its negative environmental impact. Although most research has focused on antecedent and consequent interventions or individual characteristics associated with recycling (e.g., attitudes, knowledge), Trudel and Argo (2013) examined product characteristics. They found size of paper affected whether individuals recycled (e.g., approximately 40% recycled small pieces of paper and 80% recycled large paper). We partially replicated their methods, but conducted individual rather than group sessions, in which all participants (N = 60 typically-developing adults) were asked to dispose of all sizes and conditions of paper (twice, for a total of two trials) rather than only one piece of paper once. Results indicated nearly all participants (93%) recycled all pieces of paper (small, medium, standard, crumpled) when recycling and trash bins were concurrently available. These results are unlike those obtained by Trudel and Argo (2013). Factors including reactivity and increased awareness of recycling may account for these observed differences. We should continue to extend our knowledge regarding how packaging and other stimulus characteristics affect individuals’ recycling

The Effect of Product Characteristics on Recycling Behavior

The United States generated 251 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2012 (EPA), half of which entered landfills; paper and paperboard comprised the largest portion. Recycling paper should reduce waste and its negative environmental impact. Although most research has focused on antecedent and consequent interventions or individual characteristics associated with recycling (e.g., attitudes, knowledge), Trudel and Argo (2013) examined product characteristics. They found size of paper affected whether individuals recycled (e.g., approximately 40% recycled small pieces of paper and 80% recycled large paper). We partially replicated their methods, but conducted individual rather than group sessions, in which all participants (N = 60 typically-developing adults) were asked to dispose of all sizes and conditions of paper (twice, for a total of two trials) rather than only one piece of paper once. Results indicated nearly all participants (93%) recycled all pieces of paper (small, medium, standard, crumpled) when recycling and trash bins were concurrently available. These results are unlike those obtained by Trudel and Argo (2013). Factors including reactivity and increased awareness of recycling may account for these observed differences. We should continue to extend our knowledge regarding how packaging and other stimulus characteristics affect individuals’ recycling

Preference for Similar Others: A Replication and Extension

Mahajan and Wynn (2012) contend infants’ preference for similar others is innate, not learned, and influenced by the salience of the similarity; they also contend this helps explain behaviors such as genocide and prejudice. In their study, infants (N=32) were more likely to choose the puppet that liked the same food when the infants chose the food first (high salience) then chose a puppet (84%) compared to infants (N = 16) who chose a puppet and then chose a food (44%) (low salience). Limitations of their study include potential parental bias (i.e., parents were not blind to infants’ food preference in the high salience condition) and use of a single choice measure. Our replication of the low salience condition (N = 20 infant-parent dyads) will include an extension in which (1) half of the parents indicate their infant’s food preference before viewing the puppet show (i.e., creating “high saliency” only for parents, not infants) and (2) a within subjects measure in which all infants will choose a puppet five times. Data collected thus far (n = 1; no questionnaire condition) show the infant chose the dissimilar puppet across all five choice trials. Results and implications are discussed

Preference for Similar Others: A Replication and Extension

Mahajan and Wynn (2012) contend infants’ preference for similar others is innate, not learned, and influenced by the salience of the similarity; they also contend this helps explain behaviors such as genocide and prejudice. In their study, infants (N=32) were more likely to choose the puppet that liked the same food when the infants chose the food first (high salience) then chose a puppet (84%) compared to infants (N = 16) who chose a puppet and then chose a food (44%) (low salience). Limitations of their study include potential parental bias (i.e., parents were not blind to infants’ food preference in the high salience condition) and use of a single choice measure. Our replication of the low salience condition (N = 20 infant-parent dyads) will include an extension in which (1) half of the parents indicate their infant’s food preference before viewing the puppet show (i.e., creating “high saliency” only for parents, not infants) and (2) a within subjects measure in which all infants will choose a puppet five times. Data collected thus far (n = 1; no questionnaire condition) show the infant chose the dissimilar puppet across all five choice trials. Results and implications are discussed