Assessed relative effects of therapist empathy and instructed imagination of heirarchy scenes on avoidance behavior reduction. Imagery instructions delivered in a relatively unempathetic fashion produced as much avoidance reduction as imagery instructions delivered in an empathetic manner. (Author)

For journal availability, see EC 092 078.

A nurse involved with institutionalized retarded children analyzes the value of behavior modification and describes four behavior modification programs planned and carried out by nursing staff to modify food stealing, screaming at mealtimes, excessive requests for self assurance, and unitary incontinence. (CL)

The effects of mental training on skill acquisition and performance is currently emphasized in the study of sport psychology and motor learning. This article provides the teacher and coach with general guidelines for understanding and incorporating negative thought stopping training into athletic programs. (MT)

Methods for dealing with classroom behavior problems of handicapped students in mainstream classes should follow the principle of least intensive intervention. Specific strategies for reducing undesirable behavior (planned ignoring, stating expectations, signaling) and increasing desirable behaviors (modeling, structuring the situation, positive…

A behavioral package was used to shape and maintain adherence of five adult females with recurring vascular headache to a program of aerobic exercise training. Results demonstrated a functional relationship between the behavioral package and exercise adherence, as well as clinically significant collateral reductions in vascular headache activity…

Provided 30 volunteers with generalized anxiety disorder with training in progressive muscle relaxation. Clients were also given cognitive or nondirective therapy. All showed substantial reductions in anxiety measured by psychiatric assessor ratings, questionnaires, and daily self-monitoring. Relaxation plus cognitive therapy produced…

The study examined effects of aversive taste treatment of thumb sucking on untreated habitual hair pulling by two young males (ages 2 and 5). Concomitant with successful treatment of thumb sucking, hair pulling was also eliminated. Results suggest an efficient method for changing behaviors that are difficult to treat directly. (Author/JW)

Developed short-term cooperative wilderness leadership camp to determine if behavioral changes in interpersonal communication and group interaction occurred for 4-H adolescent leaders. Compared adolescents in leadership camp, county camp, and conservation camp settings. Results suggest that leadership development through cooperative survival…

This study examined treatment-related changes in the health-related variables of weight, exercise, and diet. Two hundred and twenty teachers participated in health promotion workshops, with 115 teachers serving as a control group. Pretests and posttests were administered. Results are presented. (MT)

Data from one-year in prospective randomized trial of 224 men indicated that the magnitude of Type A behavior changed in Type B direction after one year of normal retirement, that mental health of Type As improved with retirement, and that regular vigorous exercise with the attendant improvement in cardiovascular fitness was associated with…

Nurses (N=29) participated as either control or treatment subjects in a nicotine fading and abstinence training worksite smoking cessation program. Treatment subjects had a superior abstinence rate at 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Negative affect, availability of cigarettes, and the presence of others played prominent roles in relapses.…

Clients in a smoking cessation program rated their confidence in their ability to resist smoking at the end of treatment and throughout a 6-month follow-up period. Posttreatment scores significantly predicted subsequent smoking status. Results suggest that efficacy ratings can be useful predictors of relapse, particularly when assessed during the…

The study examined effects of tutoring lower functioning students on 12 behaviorally disordered students tutors (third through fifth grades). Although anecdotal reports strongly favored tutoring, all objective measures (i.e., absences, disciplinary referrals, achievement test performance, behavior rating scales) failed to indicate behavior change…