The mediating role of learning in the relationship between repeated exposure and affect was explored and supported in three experiments involving a total of 229 undergraduate participants. It was found that both learning and affect measures behaved in essentially the same way as a function of exposure duration (experiments I and III), serial…

This investigation attempted to clarify the effects of different classes of reinforcement on the size discrimination learning of normal and low achieving third grade middle class boys. The classes of reinforcement consisted of tangible reinforcement, person reinforcement (praise), and performance reinforcement (correctness of response). Each of…

The primary problem was concerned with the uses of hypnosis and waking suggestions as means of improving reading efficiency. A second problem concerned rectifying research design inadequacies related to hypnosis experiments. The procedure used pretest scores secured for rate, comprehension, and vocabulary. Subjects were placed in experimental and…

Feeling that the key problem in working with delinquent adolescents is to help them bring their antisocial behaviors under control and establish more socially acceptable behaviors, the author points out that an important step is to change the pupil' attitudes about reading, test-taking, schools, and teachers. Suggested methods of motivation are…

In a study of the effects of an anticipated reward on the interaction between rewarder and rewardee, the hypothesis was advanced that the offer of a reward heightens a child's sense of outerdirectedness and dependency upon the rewarding adult. Twenty-nine preschoolers who had demonstrated some intrinsic interest in puzzles were asked to assemble a…

The technique of behavioral contracting is recommended as a highly effective, readily applied technique for use in efforts to strengthen the control of family and school over the behavior of delinquents. A behavioral contract is a means of scheduling the exchange of positive reinforcements among two or more persons. The use of behavioral contracts…

In this study, the effects of rewards on same-different judgments of size, color, and weight were investigated. Subjects were 45 children at the kindergarten and first-grade level. The children were assigned to one of three conditions: (1) rewarded for reporting black in the identification of the colors of balls contained inside gray jars, (2)…

The article describes ways in which band directors can use positive reinforcement techniques to improve band members' performance. (CD)

Results of the present experiments on raising expectations are consistent with previous experiments in that the generalization effect, while significant, is smaller in magnitude than the direct effect. (Author)

The rate of achievement and enjoyment of 12 learning disabled pupils (ages 8-12 years) in a token economy was demonstrated to be higher when they were permitted to select their own reinforcers than when the teacher selected the reinforcers. (MH)

Assesses a self-reward contracting procedure intended to facilitate completion of self-administered desensitization. Self-referred snake phobics received either (a) self-administered desensitization; (b) self-administered desensitization with self-reward contracting; or (c) a self-administered placebo with self-reward contracting. Results show the…

The Programmed Achievement Study System (PASS), based on positively reinforcing attempts at mastery, was introduced and empirically tested to determine its validity. It makes use of traditional learning principles by providing rewards (bonus points) contingent upon reaching specified mastery criteria. (Author/LBH)

This study examined the efficacy of behavior modification in treating three hyperkinetic children (6 to 12 years old). (Author)