Four seven- to ten-year-old boys with autistic behavior were examined with behavioral and observational measures in a peer mediated training, an integrated generalization assessment, and a segregated generalization assessment setting. Results favored the developmentally integrated condition for increases of positive social behaviors. (Author/MC)

A group outcome study evaluated the effectiveness of four treatment procedures in reducing self-injurious behavior among 22 severely handicapped students (mean age 10.5 years). Contingent restraint was most effective in reducing behavior below baseline levels. (Author/CL)

Studies about depression in mentally retarded individuals are examined. The studies use case report or single case designs and measure the effects of drug therapy and behavior modification. The lack of research on this topic is noted, and future directions are suggested. (CL)

This paper addresses efforts to monitor and control the applications of behavioral technology in human services. A brief review of accountability from a behavioral perspective is followed by viewpoints on the rights of clients subject to behavioral interventions. Three state/provincial efforts at creating policy and guidelines are examined.…

The author replies to an earlier contention of D. Smith (EC 133 830) that seclusionary timeout for behavior disordered children actually constitutes extinction rather than aversive control. The author cites methodological flaws in Smith's studies. (CL)

A five-and-one-half-year-old boy with encopresis (fecal soiling) was successfully treated by a cognitive behavior modification approach in which the child's lavatory time was scheduled and the situation was discussed in an accepting but positive manner. (CL)

Data indicate that addictive-appetitive disorders such as obesity, opiate use, and cigarette smoking are not (as most professionals believe) markedly resistant to long-term modification. Studies of nontherapeutic populations indicate that long-term self-cures of smoking, obesity, and drug use are relatively common events. (Author/GC)

Evaluated effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a behavioral self-help manual for weight reduction through the use of 126 community subjects. Results at posttreatment and three-, six-, and sixteen-month follow-ups supported the behavioral manual's effectiveness in producing modest weight loss. (Author)

Bell and pad intervention to treat enuresis in a 21-year-old mildly mentally retarded male is reported. Enuresis was not significantly reduced after 22 weeks of standard bell and pad treatment. Therapist involvement in the program was deemphasized to offset the possibility that therapist visits were reinforcing wet nights. (Author/SW)

Investigated were the effects of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) and response cost (RC) on the attending behavior of a learning disabled (LD) 7-year-old and a behavior disordered 10-year-old. The differential effects of the DRO contingency in the two case studies were attributed to differences in the reinforcement schedules.…

The author presents a critique of twentieth-century behaviorism and humanism as educational theories. He argues that the techniques of both lead to unwarranted intervention in individual lives and ceaseless human engineering. (SK)

A token reinforcement program at a residential center operates on a point card system which measures daily work quality and attitude, academic involvement, self-maintenance, peer and adult interactions, and self-control in behavior disordered children. Issues in the program's administration, including unresponsiveness and use of daily feedback,…

Investigated the active components of covert positive reinforcement that consisted of an S-R modality, a reinforcement procedure, and a demand for expectancy of success. Results of the behavioral avoidance test indicated that subjects in the overt S-R modality groups approached closer to the rat. (Author)

Evaluated effects of perceived freedom of choice on behavior change. Subjects were assigned to groups that varied in amount of perceived choice in determining training procedures. Subjects who perceived that they were given choice in training procedures improved significantly more than subjects who lost freedom of choice. (Author/BEF)

Studied use of electromyographic (CMG) biofeedback to increase efficacy of cue-controlled relaxation training in treatment of test anxiety. Results indicated cue-controlled relaxation was effective in increasing test performance for test-anxious subjects. EMG biofeedback did not contribute to effectiveness. Self-report measures of anxiety are…