Observational learning is an important area in the field of psychology and behavior science more generally. Given this, it is essential that behavior analysts articulate a sound theory of how behavior change occurs through observation. This paper begins with an overview of seminal research in the area of observational learning, followed by a…

The experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) is in trouble. Financial support for basic operant-conditioning research is difficult to obtain; teaching and research positions in colleges and universities are few; and bright undergraduates join other fields for graduate study. One reason for the difficulty is that EAB basic research does not focus…

Discusses teaching strategy which included arrangement of conditions and contingencies ofreinforcement to motivate students to learn. Identifies student reinforcers and systematically controls reinforcement. Suggests controlled experimentation to compare effectiveness of techniques with other methods of motivation. (Author/CJ)

This paper proposes that an organism's integrated repertoire of operant behavior has the status of a biological system, similar to other biological systems, like the nervous, cardiovascular, or immune systems. Evidence from a number of sources indicates that the distinctions between biological and behavioral events is often misleading, engendering…

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…

Explores several aspects of behaviorism, including its contributions to current educational practice, its recent unpopularity, and challenges to behavioral researchers in the 1980s. Seventy-two references are appended. (Author/LLS)

An examination of the differences between radical and conventional behaviorism is presented in this article. The radical behaviorism of B. F. Skinner is compared with the phenomenological thought of Maurice Merleau-Ponty emphasizing the manner in which each of these men understands human behavior. (JC)

The purpose of this paper is to examine, from a sociopsychological standpoint, some of the elements which account for the success of behavior therapy and to comment on the meaning of its emergence in modern society. Behavior therapy is seen as an indicator and consequence of major cultural trends. (Author/CG)

Sounds a cautionary note about the advances being made in operant conditioning and describes how behaviorism might be used to control people by stripping them of their freedom and dignity. (RB)

The first of these two articles presents the methods, results, and discussions of six experiments which employed an avoidance of time-out from positive reinforcement schedule with human subjects to investigate: (1) whether time-outs may be considered aversive events; and (2) if so, whether the aversiveness was sufficient to produce aggressive…

Briefly discusses research done during the 1960's. (CJ)

An introductory framework for analyzing and modifying classroom behavior...is followed by presentation of illustrative case materials, discussion of philosophical and ethical issues, analysis of pitfalls to be avoided, and consideration of limitations inherent in behavioral approaches. (Author)

"A dialogue ensues between an advocate of traditional psychoanalytic psychotherapy and a proponent of some newer therapeutic modalities. The two speakers raise issues concerning the nature of the relationship between patient and therapist; the techniques employed; the role of abreaction; the importance of diagnosis; and the place of thought and…

Michael (1975) reviewed efforts to classify reinforcing events in terms of whether stimuli are added (positive reinforcement) or removed (negative reinforcement). He concluded that distinctions in these terms are confusing and ambiguous. Of necessity, adding a stimulus requires its previous absence and removing a stimulus its previous presence.…