Langer And Rodin (1976) Procedures

Front 1

Procedure 1

Back 1

A questionnaire was administered by an interviewer to assess how much control the residents felt over general events in their lives and how happy and active they felt. It included an eight-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 8
(total). After each interview, the research assistant also rated the residents alertness
(08).

Front 2

Procedure 2

Back 2

The nursing home administrator called a meeting in the lounge of each of the floors. The RIG group were reminded that they had lots of control over their lives e.g. could arrange their furniture and decide how to spend their time. They were also told they would be given a plant to care for.

Front 3

Procedure 3

Back 3

The CG group were reminded that the staff were there to look after them. They too would have a plant which would be cared for by the staff.

Front 4

Procedure 4

Back 4

Three days later, all participants were visited by the administrator and he reiterated the message.

Front 5

Procedure 5

Back 5

A second questionnaire was completed by the two nurses who worked on both floors
(one the day nurse and the other the night nurse). The nurses were unaware of the experimental hypothesis. They rated each residents happiness, alertness, dependency, sociability and activity levels. They made notes on eating and sleeping habits, and on how much time had been spent doing various activities such as reading, watching television, visiting other patients, watching the staff, talking to the staff, sitting alone doing nothing among others.

Front 6

Procedure 6

Back 6

Residents were also assessed on behavioural measures, such as attendance at the film night, participation in competitions
(such as guessing the number of jelly beans in a jar)
, and use of wheelchairs.