The study examined the efficacy of reinforcement and response cost in the elimination of an institutionalized severely mentally retarded individual's food stealing and scavenging behavior during mealtimes. Through the use of discriminative stimuli and positive reinforcement, food stealing was virtually eliminated. (Author/CL)

A series of three experiments was conducted with three severely retarded children to investigate the vocalization-producing potential of two antecedent conditions: adult talk (commonly cited antecedent) and adult silence. (Author/CL)

Describes self-instruction training, a cognitive-behavioral approach to self-control in which children are taught to use covert speech to modify their own behavior. Discusses its effectiveness as an intervention technique for use by school psychologists. Presents research results addressing how and when to use this strategy. (BH)

Describes the ability to exercise influence as a fundamental skill in social work practice. General principles related to the use of inducement in attempts to influence others are identified. Circumstances under which rewards may serve to undermine intrinsic motivation are considered, and the symbolic function of rewards is discussed. (Author/NRB)

A mobile interdisciplinary consultation and training team trained residential staff in behavior modification and program development. Involvement of top and middle administration as well as of direct care staff was critical to program success. Training emphasized active and direct methods, emphasized maintenance, and confronted political/social…

The eight-year-old boy was taught to use a memory strategy for determining correct symbol representation through behavior modification involving accurate recognition and production of letters and digits. Decrease in frequency of letter and digit reversals demonstrated utility of the mnemonic method and confirmed the reversal/directional…

Two experiments were conducted to assess the relative effectiveness of stimulus shaping and "traditional" prompting procedures with six low-functioning retarded children (one-six years old). Stimulus shaping procedures required less training time than to criterion, resulted in fewer errors, required fewer and less intrusive therapist's prompts,…

A survey of Queensland's population in 1993 determined that 24% of the adults were smokers. National data compiled in 1992 indicated that 72% of the drug-related deaths were related to tobacco use. In light of the need for effective smoking cessation approaches, a literature review was undertaken to determine the efficacy of hypnotic and…

Briefly examines existential counseling, behavioral counseling, reality therapy, Gestalt therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and rational-emotive therapy. (CJ)

The client-worker contract is potentially a dynamic tool that can contribute substantially to the effective outcome of social work intervention. It can be used to clarify objectives and encourage clients to participate in the entire process of intervention. (Authors)

The author suggests eight ways by which a counselor can help a client strengthen his self concept in order to increase the counselor's general effectiveness. (RWP)

Article describes a drug abuse prevention program conducted by school counselors with ninth grade students. While results are mixed, they do give the practicing counselor some direction in which to move. (Editor)

Comments on article by Ray E. Hosford, in same issue. Stresses his feeling that Hosford's total presentation was imbalanced in direction of overemphasis on modeling. (Author/CJ)

Describes the rationale, methodology, and scope of a new form of psychotherapy, Verbal Satiation Therapy, based on assumption that language symbols stand for real objects and events. Verbal symbols may produce emotional responses normally associated with the objects themselves. Verbal Satiation Therapy attempts to reduce the emotional component of…