This paper is a draft for the American Psychological Association Symposium on the conditioning of verbal behavior and attitudes. The author presents the results of several studies he conducted in the classical conditioning of meaning and attitude. These studies attempt to control the measurement effects created by extraneous variables operating on…

This study investigated the effects of prior experience with contingent or noncontingent stimulation of infants' ability to learn different responses to control perceptual stimulation. In the pretest phase, baseline rates of level movement, panel press and vocal responding were determined for each of the twelve, 6-month-old infants in the study.…

The handbook provides an overview of characteristics, learning, and teaching methods, for parents of children with learning disabilities. Reviewed are problems that interfere with learning, such as poor rhythm sense and attention difficulties, and listed are six basic principles affecting the learning process. Home activities are suggested for…

The paper argues that existing computer programs for thermal predictions do not produce suitable information for architects, particularly at the early stages of design. It reviews the important building features that determine the thermal environment and the need for heating and cooling plant. Graphical design aids are proposed, with examples to…

In an attempt to shape better teaching, 18 students were given the opportunity to provide continuous feedback to a college instructor concerning a particular aspect of his lecturing. A student feedback device (SFD) used in this research consists of three major parts: (1) a feedback panel containing 18 indicator lights, each light being clearly…

This paper provides a brief and selective overview of several areas of behavior therapy, or applied experimental psychology with the usual concern for careful measurement, operationization of terms, and dispassionate examination of ideas which can be experimentally tested. The authors review the method of token reinforcement, with its subsequent…

Walking behavior was established in a 20-month-old Down's Syndrome girl by a parent trained in behavior analysis. During a series of 7-minute sessions, the child was given edible reinforcement for taking unsupported steps between two chairs which were gradually moved from 18 to 70 inches apart. In three final generalization sessions, the chairs…

The Training Proficiency Scale, designed to evaluate the competence of a trainer utilizing operant conditioning techniques with the mentally handicapped, is described in terms of its need, development, reliability and validity qualities, and four areas of assessment (shaping behavior, rewarding, communicating, and rapport). The scale is presented…

Following a brief history and explication of the School Construction System Development Project, descriptions of a group of standard building components developed to satisfy three objective are presented--(1) to build better schools, (2) to build them more economically, and (3) to build them more rapidly. Detailed structural and performance…

This discussion of air leakage emphasizes cause and provides suggestions for elimination of undesirable effects. Cause parameters described are--(1) pressure differential, (2) building shape, (3) temperature differential, (4) opening sizes, (5) mechanical system pressures, and (6) climatic factors. Effects discussed are--(1) increased mechanical…

A list of schools which have been either designed or constructed using the component building systems approach has been prepared by BSIC personnel. The information was obtained from three sources--(1) manufacturers' data about applications of their products, (2) published articles, lists , and materials of systems building projects, and (3)…

Three hypotheses were tested in this 6-week study: a) training in systematic application of strategies designed to reinforce desirable pupil behavior would enable the teacher to develop and maintain classroom control and increase pupil learning; b) desirable pupil behavior thus produced could be transferred from one classroom to another in which…

The major objectives of the 3-year Claymont Behavior Modification Project, which involved 11 teachers and 270 students, were to: a) train teachers in operant procedures for use in an uncontrived natural setting; b) accelerate student academic performances, with a special view to achieving one year's academic growth in one chronological year for…

Compared in a junior high class of 12 educable mentally handicapped children were the effects on adaptive behaviors of a token reinforcement program involving only positive reinforcement and a token reinforcement program additionally involving response cost. The token reinforcement response cost condition allowed students to earn points for…

This research paper generally relates psychology to teaching; specifically, behavior shaping to curriculum planning. Reports are cited that emphasize operant learning as a means of behavior modification. In this instance, the teacher provides a favorable learning situation and arranges environmental factors to increase or decrease the frequency of…