Because training teachers to collect observational data and to use operant techniques has frequently been found to be prohibitively time-consuming, the author attempted to develop simpler, more efficient training procedures. This report presents the results of a study in which these procedures were implemented. Teachers followed a three step…

A 10-year-old boy with inappropriate social behavior was placed in a program of positive reinforcement and response cost. The boy earned plastic coins for good behavior and lost coins for inappropriate behavior. Rewards for given levels of earnings included extra recess time and field trips. Inappropriate behaviors decreased from a mean of 6.8…

The thesis presented in this paper is that elementary counselors can become the most important behavioral change agents in the school. The following discussion will support this proposition. First, certain aspects of behavior modification will be discussed. Second, trends in elementary school counseling will be reviewed and finally, a synthesis…

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…

A contract and point system were used to decrease the pilfering behavior of an 11-year-old boy. Under the contract system, the boy kept a daily record of his progress and earned points toward a trip to the planetarium. After introduction of the contract the pilfering dropped from at least two times a week to none at all. (LS)

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 reaction on the elementary education level was shown to be effective in reducing disruptive behaviors. (Author/CB)

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…

A three phase program reduced hyperactive behavior, increased attending/participating behavior, and improved academic performance of a total of 20 learning disabled children from 10 to 14 years of age. (DB)

The purpose of this research was two-fold: first, it examined the inappropriate behavior exhibited by a group of parent-labeled hyperactive children; and second, it evaluated various techniques that might be utilized by the classroom teacher to deal more effectively with these children. The hyperactive children observed in this study were from an…

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 performance of five students (ages 6 to 10) in an adjustment class for deaf children was compared under fixed and variable ratio schedules of reinforcement. During the VR condition, students visually attended more and engaged in disruptive behavior less often than during the FR condition. (Author)

A 3-year Title III project provided inservice training to 183 elementary teachers in methods of improving behavior, academic performance, and affective reactions of children with socio-emotional conflicts treatable in the regular classroom. The program included summer workshops and released-time training during the school year in indepth…

The behavior of four boys who were referred for oppositional, rule violating, and aggressive behaviors was assessed by direct observation and parent reports. Changing contract behavior to solitary toy play resulted in reduced oppositional behavior during the observation sessions, fewer reports from the parents of low-rate problem behaviors, and…

Article reports the results of a brief, computer-based assessment of reinforcer dimensions affecting choice and the application of information yielded by the assessment in informing interventions for classroom disruptions of two students. Results showed that choice (time allocated problems within each set) was differentially affected by the…