This article reviews evidence from basic and translational research with pigeons and humans suggesting that the persistence of operant behavior depends on the contingency between stimuli and reinforcers, and considers some implications for clinical interventions. (Contains 4 figures.)

This training manual is designed to prepare behavior assistants to teach parents and other family members how to use operant conditioning techniques to solve family problems with children. Readers are warned not to attempt to put the recommended procedures to actual use until the text is fully comprehended. Chapter I gives arguments to justify the…

Until recently, the use of contingency contracting has been largely an issue of theory and discussion with little experimental research evidence gathered to support efficacy. Two major reasons for this problem are suggested and discussed: (1) the concept of contingency contracting has not been adequately defined nor its minimal requirements…

Tested with 31 students (kindergarten through grade 5) who manifested poor and inappropriate classroom behaviors was a combination of direct intervention strategy for behavior modification and provision of a maintenance program for the classroom teacher. Strategies included the use of observation and introduction procedures; and direct…

Available from: Psychonomic Society, 1108 W. 34th Street, Austin, Texas 78705. Studied with 10 learning disabled children (5-9 years old) was the development of self-management skills without direct teacher supervision through the use of operant reinforcement procedures. (IM)

Peer reinforcement, modeling, and cooperative programing arrangements are among the strategies described which involve peers in modifying the behavior problems of classmates. (CL)

A study involving four boys (9 to 14 years old) labeled as emotionally handicapped was conducted to examine the effect of a verbal cueing technique (involving an illogical statement which evokes psychological reactance) on behaviorally disordered children. Illogical statements made by the teacher produced positive change in target behaviors (such…

Satiation, over-correction and differential reinforcement of other behavior resulted in the elimination of chronic clothes ripping by six institutionalized mentally retarded emotionally disturbed adolescents. (CL)

Reinforcers lose their effectiveness when they are presented repeatedly. Early researchers labeled this loss of effectiveness as "satiation" without conducting an experimental analysis. When such an analysis is conducted, "habituation" provides a more precise and empirically accurate label for the changes in reinforcer effectiveness. This paper…

Exposed students in four second-grade classes exhibiting disruptive behavior to response cost programs with varying initial reinforcement and fine levels. Results indicated all treatments were highly effective, as all groups underwent maximum behavioral change. Suggests degree of aversiveness of procedure did not appear to be strongly related to…

The case studies presented by seven school psychologists illustrate the nature and scope of psychological intervention with emotionally disturbed and otherwise handicapped students. Included are papers with the following titles and authors: "Desensitization--An Approach to the Elimination of Phobic Behavior" (E. Asmus); "Reduction of Classroom…

Selected literature on the use of daily/weekly report cards with parent-managed contingencies to modify school learning and behavior problems is reviewed. The development, implementation, evaluation, and fading of such programs are discussed and were found to be effective in modifying numerous school-related problem behaviors. (Author/RL)