This study evaluated the effects of covert positive reinforcement (CPR) on a nine-year old, third-grade student who was causing a classroom disturbance. There was an immediate improvement in three target behaviors following the implementation of CPR by the school psychologist. (Author)

Explores major problems involved in the ethical and adequate use of behavior modification procedures in social settings, i.e., selection of the target child, data collection and record keeping, implementation of a behavior change program, and personnel qualifications. Suggested guidelines for addressing the problems are provided. (Author)

Repeated measures of the frequency of paper towel litter, unflushed toilets, dirty sinks, and running water faucets were used to evaluate effectiveness of contingent teacher praise for appropriate bathroom use by preschool children. Contingent praise for appropriate bathroom behaviors resulted in markedly decreased frequencies of four target…

Investigates views held by senior state department of education administrators responsible for school psychology services relevant to acceptance or rejection of behavior modification procedures by educators, parents, and school psychologists. Significant results support the relationship between administrators' preferences and perceived functioning…

Studied the use of a social learning approach to reduce the unpopularity of an 11-year-old girl. Used a multiple baseline design to successively implement reinforcement contingencies on each class of social skill. Substantial improvements in performance were noted. Sociometric ratings of popularity by others improved after intervention. (Author/RC)

Illustrates the use of a response cost token system to decrease inappropriate behaviors of mainstreamed students in the regular classroom. Data were taken on a student's inappropriate request for teacher attention and another student's inappropriate verbalizations. Employed a reversal design. Results showed response cost token system as effective.…

The treatment of a 10-year-old elective mute boy is reported in detail. A learning principles based approach was used in a one-to-one therapeutic setting. Relatively normal speaking patterns were established after 15 months of treatment. (Author)

Assesses protocol for conducting a functional analysis of maintaining variables for children with selective mutism. A parent was trained in and later applied various behavior strategies designed to increase speech in an eight-year-old girl with selective mutism. Parent and child ratings of treatment were positive. Presents implications for future…