This study compared 2 units of analysis for assessing acquisition mastery during sight word instruction for 3 participants. The unit of analysis refers to the specific performances that criteria are applied to, either sets of stimuli or individual operants. In the Set Analysis condition, we applied the acquisition-performance criterion to the…

This study compared the effects of video feedback (VF) as a stand-alone intervention and video modeling plus video feedback (VMVF) for improving soccer players' static ball control skills. Research has suggested that VF alone and VMVF produce substantial improvements for young athlete's skills, though no studies have compared the two. Therefore,…

Procedural fidelity is defined as the extent to which the independent variable is implemented as prescribed. Research using computerized tasks has shown that fidelity errors involving consequences for behavior can hinder skill acquisition. However, studies examining the effects of these errors once skills have been mastered are lacking. Thus, this…

Performance feedback is an effective strategy to improve and maintain therapist performance with implementing interventions. Shuler and Carroll (2019) successfully used video modeling with voiceover instructions (VMVO) to train supervisors to provide accurate performance feedback to a confederate therapist implementing guided compliance. In Study…

Animal trainers working in scent detection programs are responsible for arranging training contingencies as well as for observing and recording animal behavior. We provided behavioral skills training (BST) to animal trainers working with scent detection rats to improve the treatment integrity of scent-detection research sessions. We evaluated the…

The Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Human Services (PDC-HS) has been used to assess variables contributing to undesirable staff performance. In this study, three preschool teachers completed the PDC-HS to identify the factors contributing to four paraprofessionals' inaccurate implementation of error-correction procedures during discrete trial…

Impairment in social skills is a primary feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Research indicates that social skills are intimately tied to social development and negative social consequences can persist if specific social behaviors are not acquired. The present study evaluated the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on teaching…

This study investigated performance under and preference for continuous and discontinuous work-reinforcer schedules in 3 students who had been diagnosed with autism. Under continuous schedules, participants completed all work and consumed all reinforcers in contiguous units. Under discontinuous schedules, work and reinforcer access were broken up…

This study examined whether pilots completed airplane checklists more accurately when they receive postflight graphic and verbal feedback. Participants were 8 college students who are pilots with an instrument rating. The task consisted of flying a designated flight pattern using a personal computer aviation training device (PCATD). The dependent…

The purpose of the current study was to explore the use of overt and covert self-rules in the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of a chained task by adults with mild developmental disabilities. This research differed from previous research in that the experimenter did not deliver reinforcement for correct responses during training, and…

The influence of task difficulty on aberrant behavior was investigated with three severely handicapped students (10, 13, and 15 years old). Noticeably higher rates of problem behavior occurred in demand compared to no demand conditions. In addition, there were higher rates of problem behaviors on difficult versus easy tasks. (Author)

Three first grade students who exhibited difficulty completing independent work improved their math performance when given recording devices to self-record performance data, with two of the children showing more reactivity when using the more obtrusive device. Three of four second grade students increased math performance during periods when peer…

This study examined compliance parameters for 18 children (ages 2-10) who had been referred to a clinic for behavior problems and for 35 non-referred children. Although there were significant differences for percentage compliance, there were no significant differences between the referred and nonreferred in terms of initiation or completion…

This paper, on the potential contributions of performance science to education, defines performance and performance science, distinguishes between behavior and performance, presents tactics for presenting instruction, presents tactics for designing training, and outlines how to decide which accomplishments are valuable enough to include in a…

Individual written and verbal performance feedback was examined to determine its influence on the safety with which physically disabled clients were transferred. Two client-transfer techniques were task analyzed and six direct service providers' on-the-job performance was measured weekly. Feedback was consistently followed by improvements in safe…