The Case of the Mistaken Dependent Variable

In studying self-reinforcement (i.e., the process in which individuals control their own behavior by rewarding themselves when a certain standard of behavior is achieved) two types of research methodologies should be considered: one which studies how performance standards of self-reward are acquired and one which determines if self-administered consequences affect behavior. The distinction between the acquisition of standards and the selfmaintenance of behavior is emphasized. Considerations which must be taken into account when interpreting studies of self-reinforcement are examined in terms of recent studies of modeling influences on children's standards of performance for self-reward.