Effects of contracts on childhood memory recollection: a controlled clinical analogue

Examined the specific and generalized effects of contractual agreements on a childhood recollection task (N = 131). As predicted, Ss who signed a written contract complied significantly more to the specific aspects of the contracted task than did verbal agreement Ss and controls. Generalized behaviors that were not part of the contract showed no group differences. Implications for the use of therapeutic contracts were discussed.