Operant Conditioning of the Human Pupillary Response Using Verbal Reinforcement.

Abstract : The involuntary human response of pupillary dilation was operantly conditioned in three male subjects using verbal reinforcement. The experimental design utilized was to establish a base line (normal) response rate, and then to compare this rate with subsequent reinforcement and nonreinforcement periods. Learning curves showed that the pupillary response was conditioned to dilate during the periods of reinforcement, and constrict during the nonreinforcement periods. The results were interpreted as further evidence against traditional theories stating that involuntary (autonomic) responses can only be classically conditioned. (Author)