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…

In this criticism of an article by Herrnstein, B. F. Skinner notes that a science of behavior must deal with both phylogeny and ontogeny and that Herrnstein did not point toward a rapprochement in his article. (AM)

Proceeeding through each chapter of B.F. Skinner's book, Beyond Freedom and Dignity, the author presents selected quotations and then discusses Skinner's main contribution to cognitive-behavior therapy. (CB)

Rotter's (1966) "control of reinforcement" construct is a dimension of belief or expectancy about the locus of reinforcing consequences for behavior. A generalized disposition is represented which ascribes reinforcement contingencies to either "external" (and, hence, uncontrollable) factors or to "internal" sources in which case the individual…

This program organizes and focuses "peer group attention" upon a 'focus person.' This person has volunteered and has set his personal goals which he hopes to turn into real action with the help of the peer group. A schedule of peer group reinforcement helps to transform his goals into habits. The program can be introduced generally, for class…

Eight low-productive sixth grade students were used in this token reinforcement study. Teacher direct reinforcement and liked-peer indirect reinforcement were both found to increase productivity. (CP)

This paper provides a brief and selective overview of several areas of behavior therapy, or applied experimental psychology with the usual concern for careful measurement, operationization of terms, and dispassionate examination of ideas which can be experimentally tested. The authors review the method of token reinforcement, with its subsequent…

Relative reinforcing efficacy refers to the behavior-strengthening or maintaining property of a reinforcer when compared to that of another reinforcer. Traditional measures of relative reinforcing efficacy sometimes have led to discordant results across and within studies. By contrast, previous investigations have found traditional measures to be…

This study tests the contention that a reinforcing agent's manner of administering rewards and punishments is construed by his associates as revealing his margin of freedom, and that associates are more attentive to cues concerning a reinforcing agent's dispositional qualities, and more inclined to ingratiate themselves to him, when he employes…

Data are presented from two experiments investigating whether covert responses can be modified. Imagery was chosen as a target because of its significant role in behavior therapy techniques. Resent evidence on the facilitative effects of imagery in paired-associate learning suggested to the experimenters the use of performance on a…

The last installment of a series of three papers on operant techniques. (KW)

The use of reinforcement as a treatment technique by a counselor is demonstrated. Its purpose is two-fold: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique; and (2) to actively involve the participant in the demonstration. A pre-test involves presentation of a hypothetical situation from which the participant is to select: (1) problem behaviors;…

In this article infant operant conditioning studies are grouped according to distinct procedures: free operant; discrete trial with one discriminative stimulus; discrete trial with two or more discriminative stimuli; controlled operant with two or more discriminative stimuli; and unrestricted operant with two or more discriminative stimuli.…