Follow-up data from 10 couples who used behavior contracts in marriage counseling are presented. Conclusions suggest that contracts are effective in initiating positive marital behavior but not necessary for continued marital satisfaction. Rationale and specifics of contract construction are detailed. (Author)

The author reviews the basic principles and theory which underly directive teaching: defining behavior, measuring and analyzing behavior, and manipulating environmental variables. (HMD)

Five steps in directive teaching are delineated: a) select target children; b) identify target behaviors; c) identify reinforcing events; d) establish plan, including instructional goals, reinforcement, and reward schedule; and e) implement and evaluate. (HMD)

This article considers some of the parameters, issues, and problems which must be evaluated before and during the application of behavior modification techniques. Among the topics discussed are: selecting the right teacher, training the teacher, reinforcing the teacher, ineffective, or inappropriate reinforcement, the attitude of the school…

Results indicated that behavior modification techniques can be applied to individual students and to entire classes by the counselor or teacher, and desirable changes should occur. (Author)

This study addressed three questions: Is there a reinforcing effect of positive covert imagery? Is the Reinforcement Survey Schedule a more effective aid to selection of positive imagery than individual selection of standardized assignment? Do multiple images produce greater conditioning than does a single image? Forty-six subjects were randomly…

Participants were divided into three groups: (a) control group, (b) Treatment 1 involving the application of learning theory plus group therapy, and (c) Treatment 2 involving the same as Treatment 1 plus mutual help principles. Both treatment groups lost significantly more weight over a seven-week period than did the control group. (Author)

An investigation of the efficacy of covert negative reinforcement (Ascher and Cautela, 1972) was replicated. Thirty Ss were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Ss in the experimental group were trained to imagine a noxious scene, then to shift to the image of a ringing bell. During the test phase, the word "bell" was used to reinforce over-…

Article discusses use of behavior modification techniques to further needs of those in positions of power at expense of the individual. As the implications of this abuse of knowledge become wider through the technology of computers and electronic surveillance systems, psychologists must instruct themselves in methods of countercontrol. (RW)

This behavior modification program, for use by parents with their children, shows parents how to use tokens to provide contingent reinforcement for increasing desirable behaviors. Withdrawal of tokens is used as punishment to extinguish behaviors deemed undesirable. The program includes an introduction for the professional, but is intended…

Data were collected on rate-per-minute of administering token reinforcement for one male and seven female teachers enrolled in a behavior modification seminar. The study was conducted in four self-contained and four open classrooms. In the observer-present condition, data were obtained during 15-minute classroom observation periods. In the…

This paper provides the teacher with a brief introduction to the principles of behavior modification. Major areas of concern deal with the history of behavior modification, implications for the concept of mental health, the teacher's role, the difference between behavior modification and other forms of control, reinforcement, the role of…

This paper presents a review of relevant literature on treatment approaches for the modification of smoking behavior, followed by an outline of an approach developed by the author to decrease his own rate of cigarette smoking. Studies are reviewed which have used various treatment methods: use of electric shock, satiation and/or use of cigarette…