Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

09:32
Cortical Source Analysis of High-Density EEG Recordings in Children
Published on: June 30, 2014
Anticipated reward and time estimation in young Navajo children
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|December 1, 1978
Abstract:
Time estimations of 1-min. intervals using the method of reproduction by 112 Navajo children were measured under neutral and reward conditions in a repeated-measures design. Anticipated reward (a piece of candy) significantly reduced the accuracy of time estimations. In contrast to previous research the girls were more accurate than the boys; however, the effect of reward was more pronounced for girls than for boys. These data suggest that motivating factors play an important role in the reproduction of time by Navajo children.
Related Concept Videos
Reinforcement Schedules
Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
Once a behavior is learned,...
Once a behavior is learned,...
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective.
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...

