The comparative effectiveness of an aversive stimulus, withholding of resources, withdrawal of love, and reasoning, when used alone and when combined with praise, was assessed in a standard laboratory punishment paradigm with first and second grade children. (CS)

The effect of response cost (withdrawal of tokens), aversive sound stimulation (contingent presentation of loud noise), informative feedback (contingent presentation of neutral stimulus), and no treatment were compared in suppressing disfluent speech in 40 educable mentally retarded clients (median age 22 years). (Author)

Explores the differential impact of negatively rated and positively rated trigram paired-associate materials on underachievers and overachievers in high school. (AE)

The self-injurious avoidance responses of a 22-year-old severely mentally retarded male were eliminated through a forced running consequence. Side effects, such as reduced noise, increase in smiling, and faster progress toward instructional objectives, were also noted. The results were maintained over a period of two years. (Author/PHR)

Breaking a capsule of aromatic ammonia under the 5 year old retarded boy's nose contingent upon his self poking was found to be the most effective form of treatment. (Author/DLS)

The effects of a combination of aversive and positive contingencies on target behaviors were investigated. Results indicated that teachers were more willing to implement treatment schedules that incorporated aversive contingencies and did implement treatment effectively. (Author/GK)

Self-reinforcement through positive or aversive covert imagery was studied in obesity treatment. Subjects were randomly assigned to no-imagery, self-punishment followed by self-reward, and self-reward followed by self-punishment conditions. Neither order nor kind of reinforcement made any difference. Both reinforcement groups were superior to…

Two studies were performed comparing the effectiveness of fixed-ratio (FR) and variable-ratio (VR) schedules of punishment during application and extinction. Subjects were two young children. Both studies found significant positive "side effects" of punishment in terms of increased play and social behavior as well as increased performance of…

This study employs a factorial design to investigate the efficacy of all possible combinations of modeling, praise, and criticism as a means of teaching empathic responding to counselor trainees. Results indicate a significant effect for modeling and stage of training. Discussion focuses on the critical elements of effective feedback techniques.…

Identifies four treatment techniques that may be applied when problem behavior is maintained by negative reinforcement: (1) functional communication training; (2) behavioral momentum; (3) differential reinforcement or an alternative escape behavior; and (4) errorless learning. Each of the techniques is defined, and applications and guidelines for…

This study examined the effects of three reinforcement histories on the persistence of task engagement by two students (ages 9-10) who were off task during independent seat work. Results found the reinforcement history that contained an instructional control component produced the greatest persistence in student engagement. (Author/CR)

Controversy over the use of corporal punishment is a major issue in United States schools. In view of the uncertain status of corporal punishment, 10 costly mistakes that may risk lawsuits or criminal charges and ways to avoid them are described. (SI)