This study investigated and compared the effectiveness of T groups and the Human Development Institute (HDI) in changing interpersonal perception styles and communication skills. In 20 hours of instruction over a ten week period, the two training conditions were systematically varied with groups of elementary school teachers differing on the…

Studies of communication and change in underdeveloped countries were drawn upon to design a study of modernization of individuals--including adoption of new ideas and practices--in six neighborhoods in Knox County. The study approaches the individual as an interactive behavioral system whose components are variables defining his "style of…

The literature on the behavior effects of videotaped playback reveals that little theoretical formulation has been offered to explain the positive results which have been reported. Two theoretical models are considered in regard to these results. The first, a reinforcement model, suggests that some behaviors are reinforced positively and some…

Man: A Course of Study (MACOS), a social studies curriculum based on a process curriculum design and the inquiry method, was the subject of a research project conducted as part of the overall evaluation project of the MACOS curriculum. The report focuses on the teacher's role in the MACOS curriculum, specifically with expectations for performance…

Although the literature abounds with speculation about open education, there are few experimental studies designed to test its effects. This research compared an open education program with a traditional program at the middle school level. Subjects were randomly assigned to comparison groups. Dependent measures included a self-concept scale, a…

This paper describes a model for the evaluation of a children's residential treatment center which houses the emotionally disturbed and mentally handicapped. This model is derived from the transactional perspective discussed by Kelly and Newbrough. It suggests that serious consideration be given to those variables, particularly family life style…

Effects of a new type of problem-solving instructional material and a reinforcement method called Premack on problem-solving skills of elementary school children is investigated. The problems provided were an extension of the materials developed for the Purdue Elementary Problem-Solving Inventory. The Premack Principle of behavior modification…

The Experimental Manpower Laboratory for Corrections has conducted continuous experimental studies in offender rehabilitation since the lab was created in 1968. The opportunity to incorporate the findings and products from previous studies by developing a behavioral management model was provided in March 1973, when the lab began its Mount Meigs…

Several external and internal factors combine to hinder optimal communication in "Competency," the language of behavior modification. As a language, Competency a) is spoken with varying degrees of fluency and facility, b) is difficult to translate into English because the common vocabulary is used descriptively in English while it is…

Recent studies suggest that the motion picture medium can be effectively used to alter affective behaviors. This paper explores the possibility of stimulating a change of values and attitudes of pre-service elementary education students through the production, viewing, and analysis of a motion picture film about inner-city children. It describes…

Two experiments tested the general question of whether a more "natural" artificial light (Vita-Lite) would have any different effects on classroom behavior and the ability to study than would a traditional (cool-white) light source. Fifty-nine undergraduates took part in the first experiment that utilized an 8-week counterbalanced design.…

During the spring of 1972 training workshops for 88 elementary and secondary teachers of the Great Neck Public Schools held to examine four hypotheses: 1) workshops in training teachers to observe classroom behavior would significantly increase these same teachers' positive classroom interactive behaviors consisting of teacher, pupil-pupil,…

Twenty-one nonverbal autistic children, 4- to 9-years-old, with language ages of 4- to 24-months, participated in the communication learning program from 1 to 3 years. Simultaneous verbal and manual signs were chosen as the communications mode. The children initially displayed infrequent, unrecognizable vocalizations (Screeches, or vocal…

By addressing the areas of feelings and value judgements the goals of a relationship between behaviorists and teachers can be clarified. The term "behavior modification" elicits negative emotional responses. Perhaps behaviorists should accept responsibility for the negativism and use a term such as Ogden Lindsley's "precision teaching." The term…

Those who wish to bring about positive communication between two groups with strongly polarized attitudes cannot do so merely by bringing the groups together for interaction. A study of inmates and officers at a women's prison revealed the potential of perception training for changing initially polarized conceptions. Analyses of subjects'…