Discusses the use of a behavioral discipline approach--Time Out Procedure--along with other techniques for handling inappropriate classroom behavior. (FL)

Investigated subjects' state anxiety arousal in response to an in vivo vicarious threat to self-esteem. Results indicated state anxiety as self-reported by high-empathic subjects increased following vicarious threats to self-esteem manipulation. Trait anxiety was consistently related to A-State and A-State increases. (Author/BEF)

Compared rapid smoking (overt aversion), covert sensitization (symbolic aversion), and a combination of the two in a self-punishment procedure for eliminating cigarette smoking. Training sessions were spaced over a one-month period. The overt group achieved significantly greater reduction than the symbolic group. The combined group did not differ…

Offers an account of firsthand experiences with children from the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Details how the children, who were taken to a Methodist Children's Home following release from the Davidian Compound, exhibited evidence of martial training, severe physical punishment, and sexual abuse. Narrates the children's rapid…

The study investigates the development of English multiword negation, in particular the negation of zero marked verbs (e.g. "no sleep", "not see", "can't reach") from a usage-based perspective. The data was taken from a dense database consisting of the speech of an English-speaking child (Brian) aged 2;3-3;4 (MLU 2.05-3.1) and his mother. The…

In a previous issue of "The Behavior Analyst," the authors discussed the ambiguities that surround the distinction between positive and negative reinforcement. Seven distinguished behavior analysts commented on their article. The authors believe that this dialogue represented a constructive step toward clarification of an important concept within…

The effects of positive, negative and neutral reinforcement conditions upon the manual dexterity test scores of adult retardates were assessed in a sheltered workshop setting. (Author)

Concentrated cigarette smoke served as an aversive agent in the treatment of 89 habitual cigarette smokers. A factorial design assessed the incremental efficacy of three procedures as a function of client characteristics. Findings are interpreted as support for the principle of tailoring therapeutic procedures to individual differences. (Author)

Criteria for applying aversive stimulation with severely handicapped children are examined, and practical and ethical issues are considered. Factors seen to influence punishment outcomes include timing, intensity, and schedule of reinforcement. Suggested is the need for further research on the comparative effectiveness of positive and negative…

This paper examines the problems in definition of punishment at the construct level, comparing the common use meaning of the term with a behavioral definition and contrasting two definitions used within the field of psychology. The paper discusses whether punishing stimuli must be physically painful, the appropriate use of painful stimuli, and…

The case study demonstrates the use of negative reinforcement for initial response conditioning of a seven-year-old deaf, blind, physically handicapped boy. A systematic procedure for reinforcer sampling failed to identify items for positive reinforcers. A procedure for removal of an aversive stimulus (negative reinforcement) was then successfully…