Following 4 weeks of unsuccessful conventional therapy, five trainable mentally retarded males (CA 7-12 years) were placed in a behavior modification group-therapy-readiness program (BMP). Immediate gratification, short range delayed gratification, and long range delayed gratification were used. Teachers were encouraged to continue the BMP in…

An experimental treatment approach to teaching alcoholics controlled drinking utilizing a multi-modal treatment approach is presented. This approach included aversion conditioning contingent upon emission of such undesirable drinking behaviors as gulping, drinking straight drinks, Blood Alcohol Level of 0.065 or greater, and time between drinks.…

Three studies of behavior therapy by a therapist who was also the clients' instructor are reported. All of the clients defined target behaviors, collected data, and implemented procedures to modify the behaviors. The data were brought to each session for analysis and revision each week. Case 1 reported modification of stealing behavior, where both…

Tested with 31 students (kindergarten through grade 5) who manifested poor and inappropriate classroom behaviors was a combination of direct intervention strategy for behavior modification and provision of a maintenance program for the classroom teacher. Strategies included the use of observation and introduction procedures; and direct…

Are the behaviors that constitute the essential features of behavior counseling consistent with the principles of behaviorism that form the substratum for a behavioral counseling approach? The author maintains they are not and presents his arguments in this article. (Author)

Four experiments gave direct tests of a popular hypothesis about the role of classical conditioning in person perception and social judgment. (Editor)

Two new variations of overcorrection (a behavior modification technique) in the treatment of the self-injurious behaviors (cigarette-butt-eating and hair pulling) of a 57-year-old profoundly mentally handicapped woman are discussed. (BD)

A profoundly retarded 28-year-old female was trained to avoid an aversive but harmless shock to the foot by withdrawing the foot upon presentation of a visual cue. (Author/SBH)

A combination of reinforcement for correct imitations and timeout for failure was more effective in establishing imitation in a 4-year-old institutionalized retarded child than reinforcement used alone. (CL)

Energy conservation programs at Louisiana State University reduced energy use 23 percent. The programs involved computer controlled power management systems, adjustment of building temperatures and lighting levels to prescribed standards, consolidation of night classes, centralization of chilled water systems, and manual monitoring of heating and…

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)

Self-referred and court-referred clients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, aversive counterconditioning, behavioral self-control training or a controlled drinking composite. All therapies were conducted by trained paraprofessionals and consisted of 10 weekly sessions. No significant differences among treatments were found.…

In a descriptive analysis of behavior management research with mentally retarded persons, data from 56 studies within a recent 5-year period is presented in four tables. (CL)

Videotapes from a behavior modification training program for five ward attendants in an institution for the mentally handicapped show these personnel tend to depend too much on verbal prompts and physical guidance. (JG)