The results indicate that reinforcement can be effective in increasing the number of questions superior students ask during information seeking interviews. Thus, the use of verbal reinforcement by counselors is an effective means of encouraging high achieving students to seek information relevant to their educational and vocational planning.…

Comments on article by Ray E. Hosford in same issue. Presents several brief case accounts to indicate that behaviorists' explanations of techniques often do not do justice to their practice, suggesting advisability of doing as behaviorists do, not as they say. (Author/CJ)

Two dominant motivational theories are reviewed--valence-instrumentality-expectancy theory and reinforcement theory--and discussed in terms of management, motivation of professional staff, rewards for achievement, and needs consistent with both theories (affiliation, power, achievement, competence). A 17-item annotated list of references is…

Studied the use of a social learning approach to reduce the unpopularity of an 11-year-old girl. Used a multiple baseline design to successively implement reinforcement contingencies on each class of social skill. Substantial improvements in performance were noted. Sociometric ratings of popularity by others improved after intervention. (Author/RC)

The covert modeling group was somewhat more improved than the cognitive restructuring group. Results suggest that cognitive restructuring may work by mechanisms of covert rehearsal and response-relevant covert positive reinforcement. (Author)

A systematic sequence of prompt and probe trials was used to teach picture names to three severely retarded children (aged 4). For all children the fixed ratio schedule for correct responses to prompts, combined with the every correct response reinforced schedule for correct responses to probes, generated the best results. (Author/PHR)

Three moderately retarded adults who had minimal ability to tell time were trained to "time-manage." Results indicated that the package consisting of preinstruction, instructional feedback, and picture cues was effective in producing independent time-management responding. (Author)

This study evaluates parental use of differential reinforcement of other and/or incompatible behavior to treat high-rate disruptive behavior in a severely retarded four-year-old boy. A withdrawal experimental design was used. Intervention effectively reduced instances of toy chewing and throwing, while appropriate toy play and ability to remain…

Three severely mentally retarded adolescents who exhibited repetitive hand movements were assessed during baseline (reinforcement for on-task behavior) and sensory change (rings on fingers of both hands, rings and reinforcement, and faded rings) conditions. Sensory change effectively reduced the target responses for up to four hours. (Author/JDD)

This position paper discusses aversive conditioning and other behavior reduction procedures. Environmental modification, differential reinforcement, timeout, overcorrection, and corporal punishment are discussed in terms of current applications, with arguments for and against their inclusion in behavior modification. Eight guidelines are offered…

Investigated extent to which information within context of regular coursework affects acceptability ratings by prospective teachers of four behavioral interventions (differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors, home-based reinforcement, ignoring, time-out). Prelecture acceptability ratings showed no differences between experimental…

Observed the accuracy of self-recording of on-task behavior by five special education students. Found high accuracy when reinforcers were used, but accuracy declined sharply in the self-reinforcement condition after repeated exposure. (FMW)

The effects of a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement on pedaling a stationary exercise bicycle were examined with 3 obese and 3 nonobese 11-year-old boys over a 12-week period. The intervention resulted in systematic increases in rate of exercise for all subjects. (Author/DB)

Individual differences in industriousness are discussed. It is proposed that reinforcement for increased physical or cognitive performance, or the tolerance of aversive stimulation, gives a reward value to the sensation of high effort and reduces effort's aversiveness. Applications for self-control, moral development, and education are described.…

This article reviews applications of the applied behavior analysis ideas of B. F. Skinner and others to persons with both mental retardation and emotional disturbance. The review examines implications of behavior analysis for operant conditioning and radical behaviorism, schedules of reinforcement, and emotion and mental illness. (DB)