Based on the assumption that inferential statistics can make the operant conditioner more sensitive to possible significant relationships, regressions models were developed to test the statistical significance between slopes and Y intercepts of the experimental and control group subjects. These results were then compared to the traditional operant…

SINCE THERE ARE SOME WIDELY PREVALENT MISCONCEPTIONS OF CLIENT-CENTERED COUNSELING, ATTENTION IS CALLED TO WHAT CLIENT-CENTERED COUNSELING IS NOT. CONDITIONS WHICH THE CLIENT-CENTERED VIEW HOLDS ARE NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT CONDITIONS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY ARE EMPATHIC UNDERSTANDING, UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD, AND SELF-CONGRUENCE. THESE ARE COMMON…

Three studies of behavior therapy by a therapist who was also the clients' instructor are reported. All of the clients defined target behaviors, collected data, and implemented procedures to modify the behaviors. The data were brought to each session for analysis and revision each week. Case 1 reported modification of stealing behavior, where both…

Are the behaviors that constitute the essential features of behavior counseling consistent with the principles of behaviorism that form the substratum for a behavioral counseling approach? The author maintains they are not and presents his arguments in this article. (Author)

Self-referred and court-referred clients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, aversive counterconditioning, behavioral self-control training or a controlled drinking composite. All therapies were conducted by trained paraprofessionals and consisted of 10 weekly sessions. No significant differences among treatments were found.…

Two adolescents with severe disabilities were successfully taught pictorial communication skills using an interrupted behavior sequence strategy. The independent variable involved insertion of a typical operant instructional trial for teaching communication skills into the midst of ongoing predictable sequences of behaviors, rather than at the…

Two treatments were compared for reducing anxiety and raising achievement. Significant anxiety reduction occurred in the behavioral group, although following treatment no improvement in achievement occurred. Some implications are discussed. (Author)

Extensive review of the literature suggests that modeling procedures are effective means of changing behavior, not only with one client but with a group. School counselors, in particular, need to be aware of the negative effect of various grouping policies, and should expose behavior problem clients to socially acceptable models. Followed by…

Visual screening, a mildly aversive response suppression procedure in which the child's eyes are briefly covered, was evaluated across two studies for its effectiveness in reducing topographically similar and dissimilar stereotypic behaviors of four moderately or profoundly retarded children (aged 9 or 13 years). (Author)

Argues that major behavior modification techniques can be easily and usefully integrated into a classroom management strategy. Focuses on the need for teachers to consider the internal perceptions of students when employing the techniques. (FL)

A survey of 55 Louisiana members of the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) indicated disagreement with an AAMR position statement condemning inhumane forms of aversive therapy. AAMR is urged to reconsider its position concerning the scope of aversive therapy, need for further research, and use of aversive therapy with some…

Four young children were taught contact lens wear using a shaping procedure, which involved praise and tangibles for compliance and time-outs or restraint for noncompliance. At followup, levels of compliance were high for three children, while a subject with Down's syndrome showed low compliance with need for physical restraint throughout.…

A study examined sensitivity to reinforcement in two boys (ages 7-10) with attention deficit hyperactivity using the matching law and evaluated effects of methylphenidate. In the medicated condition, the matching function for both subjects resulted in higher asymptotic values, indicating an overall elevation of behavior rate under these…

Restructuring an existing token economy (TE) in a psychiatric facility for children led to increased point-earning and decreased daily trips to seclusion. Restructuring occurred through operationalization of target behaviors and reduction of time between receipt of reinforcers and opportunity to exchange tokens. Results suggest changes in basic…