Rule-based insensitivity to contingencies according to self-reported generalized pliance/tracking and the instruction functions

Experimental study with 90 Colombian undergraduates selected for high generalized pliance or high generalized tracking. Participants completed a matching-to-sample task under two instruction conditions: General Instructions (GI) and General Instructions plus Responding Criteria (GI+RC). Results confirmed the rule-based insensitivity effect: participants with explicit responding criteria showed lower contingency sensitivity. About one-third of GI participants falsely believed they had received explicit criteria, behaving similarly to the instructed group. No differences in contingency sensitivity were found between high pliance and high tracking participants, but high pliance participants reported greater motivation to follow instructions and earn points, suggesting pliance may have competing effects on insensitivity to contingencies.