Operant Conditioning and Interpersonal Characteristics of Moderately Mentally Retarded Learners in Ollesos Division Nandi County Kenya

ABSTRACT The topic if the study was “Operant conditioning and Interpersonal characteristics of learners with moderate mental retardation” It was guided by the following objectives: To determine the level of operant conditioning used with learners with moderate mental retardation, To determine the interpersonal characteristics of learners with moderate mental retardation, To establish if there is a relationship between operant conditioning on interpersonal characteristics of learners with moderate mental retardation. The research hypothesis of the study was that ~‘There is no significant relationship between operant conditioning and interpersonal characteristics of learners with moderate mental retardation.” The methodology of the study was descriptive correlation survey since it seeks to establish the relationship between operant conditioning and interpersonal characteristics of learners with mental retardation. The findings of the study were that, the level of operant conditioning was high/good and the level of interpersonal characteristics was also high/good. It was also found that there is a positive relationship between operant conditioning and interpersonal character~stjcs of leari.ers with mental retardation. Therefore, the researcher concluded that since the leve of operant conditioning and interpersonal characteristics were hgl~ and the hypothesis was accepted then increase in operant conditioning techniques will exhibit increase in interpersonal characteristics of learners that are moderately retarded. He therefore recommends that Teachers should devise other means in case of failure by learners through provision of positive reinforcements may stimulate the learners towards positive attitude and working hard towards class work progress and performance andi that teachers should devise means of motivation and encouraging learners towards self-expression and be able to give their contributions during class lessons.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminaries

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Approval sheet iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgment v

Abstract vi

Acronyms used vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Page

THE PROBLEM AND iTS SCOPE

1.1 Backgiound of the Study 1

1. 1 . 1 Historical Perspective 1

1 .1.2 Theoretical Perspective 5

1. 1 .3 Conceptual Perspective 6

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective 7

1.2 Statement of the Problem ii

1.3 Purpose of the Study 11

1.4 Research Objectives 11

1.5 Research Questions 12

1.6 Hypotheses 12

1.7 Scope 12

Geographical Scope 12

Content Scope 12

1.8 Significance of the Study 12

viii

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction 14

2.1 Theoretical Review 14

2.2 Conceptual Framework 16

2.3 Related Literature 17

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research Design 27

3.2 Research Population 27

3.3 Sample Size 27

3.4 Sampling Procedure 28

3.5 Research Instruments 28

3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments 28

3.7 Da~a Gathering Pr~cedures 29

3.8 Data Analysis 30

3.9 Ethical Considerations 31

3. 10 Limitations of the Study 3 1

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Introduction 33

I Variance in the targeted ai~d actual respondents 33

11 Demographic 34

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSiONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction 47

5.2 Discussions 47

5.3 Conclusions 49

5.4 Recommendations 50

References 51