Compared effectiveness of two counseling approaches in increasing the frequency of verbal assertive responses. A homogeneous sample of students was divided into matched pairs and randomly assigned to the social learning and behavior rehearsal treatments and to a control group. Results indicated that the treatment groups produced significantly more…

Comment on article by Ray E. Hosford in same issue. Supports Hosford in general, but indicates limitations such as the lack of integration, lack of a plan for psychodiagnosis, and failure to translate more of the psychological theory into a set of concrete guidelines for use in counseling. (Author)

Ascertained whether diagnostic feedback had a positive influence on treatment outcome. Snake-fearful females took psychological tests and were randomly assigned to treatment conditions. The greatest therapeutic improvement resulted for the enhanced-personality-feedback-with-treatment group as compared to the treatment-only group. The…

Women, self-referred for dental anxiety, were given four weeks of cue-controlled relaxation treatment. Nonorthogonal planned comparisons indicated significant decreases on dental anxiety, anxiety differential, and state anxiety scales, and systolic blood pressure. Participants reported that treatment was helpful in controlling anxiety when…

The study evaluated the effects of a fine mist of water applied to the face contingent upon self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhibited by profoundly retarded persons. Results indicated that the water mist procedure may be an effective alternative to traditional punishment techniques. (Author)

Analysis shows a significant decrease in parent's self-sufficiency index, indicating increased group dependence. Results suggest that family therapists may unwittingly foster group dependence and losses in confidence for parents receiving such family guidance. (Author)

Counselors must select strategies that maximize the probability of helping clients achieve personal goals. These stratefies may focus on changing how clients think, feel, or act (T-F-A). Effective counselors need to systematically use varying combinations of T-F-A strategies that will best facilitate changes in clients' behavior. (Author)

Describes behavioral exchange contracting in which an agreement binds a worker and a client or members of a family to change specific, measurable behaviors. Maintains that behavioral contracting offers a realistic, structured approach to resolving problems in a variety of situations. (CM)

This article describes a teacher preparation program in health education that provides educators with the skills that will enable them to make positive changes in the attitudes, values, and behaviors of their students. (MM)

Randomly assigned 1,218 smokers to cells in 4 (nicotine gum delivered ad lib, fixed regimen nicotine gum, placebo gum, no gum) x 3 (self-selected relapse prevention modules, randomly administered modules, no modules) design. Subjects receiving nicotine gum were more likely to be abstinent at 2- and 6-month followups. Fixed regimen accounted for…

A nonaversive technique was used to teach a severely handicapped woman to decrease her refusals. The technique employed precision teaching via precise daily measurement strategies, environmental analysis, and a focus on building appropriate behavior. (JDD)

The review and synthesis of the literature on self-injurious behavior examines characteristics, causes, and both psychological and behavioral management strategies. Six suggestions for educators are offered. (DB)

A cognitive behavior management approach was used with an eight-year-old boy with congenital blindness who exhibited body rocking. Results suggest that body rocking could be significantly reduced by having the subject develop and use a self-monitoring script in conjunction with an alternate behavior to rocking. (JDD)

A study compared the effectiveness of two extinction interventions, extinction by omission and noncontingent delivery of reinforcement, to treat aggressive behavior with a 10-year-old boy. Analysis revealed that aggression was maintained by positive reinforcement in the form of attention. Noncontingent reinforcement of attention produced a more…

The authors compared simultaneous versus sequential approaches to multiple health behavior change in diet, exercise, and cigarette smoking. Female regular smokers (N = 315) randomized to 3 conditions received 16 weeks of behavioral smoking treatment, quit smoking at Week 5, and were followed for 9 months after quit date. Weight management was…