The study explored the influence of reinforcement and race on the verbal creativity performance of 50 emotionally handicapped children at the elementary school level. Among conclusions were that positive verbal reinforcement led to significantly higher creativity scores and that the race of the Ss (White or Black) did not affect creativity…

A significant increase in correctly completed steps of the targeted behavior was noted for the independence-training group. (Author/DLS)

An observational instrument was used to study the teaching behavior of physical education teachers. Analysis indicated that teachers showed low percentages of positive and negative behavior and high percentages of managing and monitoring behavior. (Author)

The obtained contrast effect was conducive to learning, and the procedure was effective in teaching the multiply handicapped hearing impaired Ss to speechread the training words. (Author/DLS)

The advent of word processing centers has provided typewriting teachers with an alternative measurement system that, instead of penalizing errors, grades students according to Usable Lines Produced (ULP). The ULP system is job-oriented and promotes realistic office standards in typewriting productivity. (MF)

Significant results favor positive reinforcement and high win ratio in producing shorter average times to complete a response. The 80 first- and third-grade subjects exhibited a preference for continuing the task under the positive reinforcement condition. (RL)

Symptoms of hyperactivity and possible relationships of condition to various hereditary and physical factors are examined. Various methods of dealing with the problem are presented, and the need to provide hyperactive children with appropriate outlets of activity is emphasized. (RW)

The effects of reinforcement choice on task performance were examined with six individuals (ages 6-39) who had been diagnosed with severe to profound mental retardation. Findings indicated that access to choice did not improve the task performance of the subjects when highly preferred items were already incorporated into instructional programs.…

Five adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (characterized by short stature, learning difficulties, incomplete sexual development, and uncontrollable eating) learned the conditional relations necessary for the formation of two equivalence classes under differential/nondifferential and edible/nonedible outcomes. Performance on test trials was better…

Describes a teacher's approach to classroom management through positive discipline, using positive reinforcements to teach children positive behaviors. Students who feel affirmed can begin to believe in themselves and begin to take responsibility and build successful relationships. Five steps to positive discipline are outlined. (SLD)

Three experiments involving three adults with profound mental retardation whose self-injurious behavior (SIB) was maintained by automatic reinforcement, examined interactions between stereotypic SIB and the manipulation of objects that appeared to provide substitutable sources of reinforcement. Attempts to reduce SIB using the preferred objects as…

Concerns about noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) are illustrated in a case study of a 13-year-old girl with severe mental retardation who was demonstrating severe aggression. Her NCR treatment produced an extinction burst and incidental reinforcement. A brief omission contingency was added to the reinforcement schedule, which resulted in decreased…

Describes the Graduated Reinforcement System, a simplifed token system that involves establishing a partnership with parents and students, identifying target behaviors, planning for record keeping, tallying daily/weekly points, designating the graduated reinforcement criteria, determining reinforcers for the three levels, awarding the reinforcer,…

A survey of 144 educators examined their preference for positive versus negative interventions based on the amount of information provided about students with behavior problems. Although there was an overall preference for positive interventions, having an explanation of misbehavior did lead to the choice of more positive interventions. (Author/CR)

Results of a functional analysis indicated the self-injurious behavior (SIB) of a 12-year-old with severe mental retardation was maintained by escape from demands and access to listening to music. The effects of the presence and absence of music and a putative establishing operation were investigated. The presence of music was correlated with…