Head Start children were matched into two groups on the basis of disruptive behavior during rest periods. Attempts were made to modify their behavior using either instructions or token reinforcement procedures. Results suggest that a combination of reinforcement together with instructions is much more effective than either of these alone. (Author)

This article is a revised version of an address presented at the Third Annual Research in Guidance Institute, University of Wisconsin, June, 1968.

Recently, behavioral researchers have extended the application of operant conditioning techniques from the behavior management of individual students to the behavior management of entire classes of students. This extension has been facilitated through the utilization of such contingencies as the interdependent group-oriented contingency. The…

This paper is based on a PhD dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles. Research supported in part by the U.S. Public Health Service.

The effects of two interdependent group contingencies, group-average and group-individual, on math performance and verbal interaction were investigated. In a group-average contingency the average performance of the members of the group must meet a set criterion level. In a group-individual contingency each member of the group must meet a set…

An effort was made to assess the relative effectiveness of different reinforcement systems versus traditional teaching with maladjusted boys. The subjects were 60 boys in grades 6 and 7 who participated during language arts classes, but total data were gathered on 26 boys. The boys had histories of aggressive behavior and language problems.…