Comparison of self-modeling and small cash incentives in a sheltered workshop

Abstract

Compared the effects of self-modeling with edited video replay and a reward system on the workshop productivity of 15 young adults (17–30 yrs of age) with moderate or severe physical handicaps. Ss were divided into 3 groups and randomly assigned to different conditions. The self-modeling group (Group 1) watched themselves each workday on videotapes that showed Ss engaged in assembly tasks with mistakes and excess hesitations edited out. The reward group (Group 2) received daily points, cashable weekly, for each 10% increase over the baseline in their average hourly output. Those in the attention-control group (Group 3) were seen individually each day by an experimenter who discussed their general progress. Productivity during a 2-wk intervention period was compared with baseline production rates, the resultant increases of 15, 3, and –3% (for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) producing significant differences between the groups. The same trends were observed in a 4-mo follow-up. (18 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)