Abstract
A two-part exploratory study was conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing an experimenter-controlled human-like manikin in analyzing the social stimuli maintaining and controlling the behavior of a 10-yr.-old nonverbal, autistic-like child. In Phase I the frequency and duration of 7 behaviors emitted in the presence of a male, female, or manikin were recorded. Phase II involved measurements of 8 behaviors emitted during 6 conditions in which the social stimulus properties of the manikin were systematically varied with respect to the extent to which the manikin appeared “human-like.” The behaviors emitted by this particular child in the presence of the manikin, during Phase I, were similar to those observed in the presence of humans. In Phase II various behaviors emitted by the child were systematically varied as a function of the degree to which the manikin resembled and behaved like a human. The potential utility of utilizing an experimenter-controlled manikin in the analysis and possible modification of behavior is discussed.