"Selective mutism" is the term used to describe a disorder in which a person speaks only in restricted stimulus situations. Examination of single-subject research concerning selective mutism reveals the most popular and successful interventions to instate speech involve a combination of behavior modification procedures. The present research…

This study provides a demonstration of the process of positive behavior support (PBS) within a home setting to address the challenging behavior of a sibling set within family routines. Although a growing data base is demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of conducting functional behavioral assessment and implementing assessment-based…

Objective: The factor structure of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R; Cooper, 1994) was examined in a sample of First Nations (i.e., Mi'kmaq) adolescents. Results: Exploratory principal components analysis indicated a three-factor structure (conformity, coping, and positive reinforcement motives), with the positive reinforcement…

Kristin L. Main teaches the Ontario Literacy Course, an alternative course designed to support students who have failed the required standardized test for high school graduation. She sees the purpose of the class as giving students a chance to feel successful and helping them to see the practical value of purposeful communication and integrated…

Three teacher researchers conducted this action research project to increase their 54 high school students' achievements in mathematics. The teacher researchers had noticed a trend of low scores on teacher-made chapter tests and non-completion of daily homework. Standardized tests showed that most students scored below average on the mathematics…

The importance of effective instruction on student academic and social achievement has been well documented. Strong classroom management and the use of high rates of opportunities to respond (OTR) have been two advocated classroom practices to positively impact student performance. This article presents an analysis of data collected across 35…

This study examined the effects of the Living Skills school-based intervention program as a method of improving school adjustment and the social lives of at-risk elementary school students. Youth participants were referred to the program by teachers or school counselors based on perceptions of risk due to rejection and isolation, aggressive and…

For any organization to become or remain competitive and provide incentive and fulfillment for the people who work there, management must be flexible and open to change and the needs of its employees. That is where a human resources system, complete with motivational techniques, comes in. (Author)

Compares the effectiveness of a token economy with traditional forms of intervention. Results indicate the token economy procedure to be considerably more effective. (Author)

Based in part on a PhD dissertation (Irwin) submitted to the University of Pennsylvania.

Lists potential reinforcers that may be employed with various motivational tactics, and groups them into ten categories with specific examples of each. Most of these reinforcers may be used in manager-evaluated contingencies, with the exception of a few, which are listed because of their value in self-control tactics. (Author/VT)

Fifth- and sixth-grade students were asked to sort cards by one of three possible sorting methods. Subjects received either general praise, descriptive praise, or no praise. The extent to which the two praise groups sorted by the method for which they were reinforced was assessed. (Author/JMB)

Two experiments contrasted the effects of several methods of initiating the play activity of elementary school children on children's willingness to persist in an initially interesting activity. (Author)

Members of personal growth groups were more accepting of positive feedback than of negative feedback; however, receiver defensiveness levels were not related to feedback acceptance. (Author)

The author responds to a study which suggested that token reinforcement is redundant in stating and shaping fluent speech within a stuttering program. He cites methodological differences as well as procedural differences in the treatment programs mentioned. (Author/CL)