The effects of three qualitatively different verbal mediators on the task performance of sixth grade students

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three qualitatively different verbal mediators on the task performance of sixth grade students. Subjects were selected from a middle school located in Southeastern Idaho. From a sample of 60 subjects, participants were assigned to one of three conditions, a self-derived, experimenter-derived, or neutral statement group. Both self- and experimenter-derived subjects received statements that were considered positive in content. The only difference between those two groups was in regard to how the statements were generated. The subjects given neutral statements served as a control group.

On the basis of the experimental manipulations it was predicted that the subjects who were afforded the opportunity to create their own positive verbal mediators would outperform the other two groups. It was also thought that a positive verbal mediator, even though contrived by the experimenter, would generate a higher rate of responding compared to a neutral statement. In order to test these hypotheses, a simple sorting task was employed. Two measures, represented by rate and accuracy of sorting, were designated as de pendent variables. It was further hypothesized that subjects would express a preference for self-generated verbal mediators over an experimenter-derived mediator.

The major findings were in conflict with the stated hypotheses. Self-derived statements did not produce a higher level of responding, nor were there any significant differences in terms of error output. Although statistically non-significant, an opposite trend emerged, whereby subjects in the self-determined group responded at a lower rate compared to the other two groups. Quite unexpected were the responses of subjects in relation to mediator use. There was a significant expressed preference for the experimenter determined mediator.

This investigation was concluded with comments concerning the outcome and recommendations for future research were offered.