Describes the rationale, methodology, and scope of a new form of psychotherapy, Verbal Satiation Therapy, based on assumption that language symbols stand for real objects and events. Verbal symbols may produce emotional responses normally associated with the objects themselves. Verbal Satiation Therapy attempts to reduce the emotional component of…

Using Ss high or low on a social desirability scale, a verbal conditioning attempt was made to alter the relative frequency of self referent statements that were either positive or negative. (Author)

The possible effects of acquiescence response style upon endorsement of items in the Vocational Development Inventory-Attitude Scale were investigated. It was concluded that responses to the VDI-Att are not significantly affected by acquiescence; rather, it was hypothesized that they can be conceptually related to discrimination learning…

Using an objective measure of attention obtained during a baseline period, assesses in two studies the effects of attention on operant learning among 240 infants 14 weeks of age who were rewarded for kicking with a pattern of lights and tones. (RH)

Studies dealing with toilet training of severely/profoundly retarded persons are reviewed since the systematic operant approach of N. Azrin and R. Foxx in 1971. Replications are said to be few in number and equivocal in results, although modifications with retarded and nonretarded populations have produced informative and innovative approaches.…

Two normal and two mentally retarded children were trained to earn pennies by pressing a key according to a multiple variable-interval extinction schedule of reinforcement. Retarded children differed from normal children by producing more positive than negative discriminative stimuli. (Author/DB)

This report describes the introductory psychology demonstration showing conditioned taste aversion in rats based on those animals' inability to distinguish between safe NaCl and toxic LiCl solutions. Test results showed the established phenomena of classical conditioning. Included is a discussion of the experiments relevance to behaviorist…

An integrated study of Shine's actualized and pure single-subject behavior functions can produce more information than studying only one function. After summarizing the mathematics behind Shine's viewpoint, an ordinary regression analysis approach to the actualized behavior function is integrated with a time-series analysis approach to the pure…

In comprehensive wieght loss program, overweight women exposed to instruction in self-standard setting and to situational management techniques lost more weight than those instructed only in situational management techniques. Findings illustrate facilitative effect of teaching individuals to set specific, objective, and realistic goals for eating…