Discusses a variety of alternative viewpoints about humor and presents some theories about the way humor works. Also addresses the role of humor in education and how it may affect the learning process. Discusses humor as a therapy and as an intervention used to change behavior in children and young adults. (Author/KW)

This study investigated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral training in reducing angry behavior and aggression among three fourth-grade students in a multicategory resource room. Results indicated that students were able to learn the strategy and reduce undesirable behavior, maintaining decreased levels of anger and aggression over time.…

Many agencies provide parent training to groups for whom spanking as a response to timeout escape is not an option. An alternative was developed, the "two-chair hold" technique, which showed some success in decreasing timeout escape and improving overall behavior. Discusses clinical issues regarding use of this technique. (LKS)

This commentary responds to a critique (EC 610 642) of a study on professional acceptability of various treatment procedures for challenging behaviors exhibited by individuals with disabilities. The commentary asserts that treatment options should be evaluated in terms of probability of success, time factors, distress caused by the procedure, and…

Work behaviors that prevent an individual with disabilities from getting and keeping a job are considered, along with ways to change behaviors. Nine ways to change negative work behaviors are addressed, including teaching/training, goal-setting, motivating, counseling, role-playing, and social reinforcement and behavior modification. (SW)

Examined usefulness of independent group contingency system for decreasing inappropriate behaviors. Twenty-five fourth graders in regular classrooms participated in intervention, which involved public posting system using positive reinforcement for desired behaviors. Targeted behaviors showed marked decreases across eight-week treatment period and…

Data were summarized from 1,841 sessions involving 10 subjects with mental retardation who participated in a number of experiments over a 10-year research program concerning dietary influences on ruminating. Relationships were found between amount of food consumed and rumination. Satiation feeding resulted in substantial decreases in postmeal…

A review of 19 studies on Native Americans examined 12 focused on chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, substance abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome) and 7 on prevention (dental disease, prenatal/infant health, nutrition, HIV prevention, health promotion). Results showed Native Americans particularly at risk for diabetes and alcohol abuse and…

Conceptualizes separation-individuation conflicts in caregivers as behavior under dual control of nonverbal and verbal antecedents and consequences of others and dysfunctional self-rules of caregiver. Describes two types of treatment in context of case study: changing caregiver's problem behaviors by training nursing home staff and teaching…

A group of 88 physicians and 126 diabetic patients were surveyed before and 6 and 12 months after doctors' participation in the Office Practice Environment Negotiations Program. Results showed that teaching physicians how to reorganize their practice environment increased adoption of case management strategies. (SK)

Effective strategies include (1) helping consumers see how lifestyles and consumer behavior are related; (2) limiting amount of new terminology used; (3) dispelling myths and misperceptions; (4) doing product life-cycle analysis; and (5) emphasizing long-term goals for behavior change. (JOW)

Surveyed national stratified random sample of 228 regular and special education teachers to examine what methods were used to remediate behavior problems in their classrooms. Data were analyzed to determine types of interventions used and relationships to gender, degree, type of school (elementary, middle, or high school), grade taught, type of…

Presents retrospective analysis of cognitive behavior modification which reveals that three major metaphors have been offered to explain the role that cognitions play in behavior change; these metaphors include cognition as form of conditioning, information processing, and, currently, narrative construction. Discusses implications of using each of…

Offers 12 suggestions for teachers who want to develop some new behaviors at the beginning of a new school year. Suggests that such introspection can lead to a cycle of reflecting, monitoring, and growing. Includes changes of attitude, behavior, and personal goals through reassessment. (DK)

Effects of supplementary peanut butter on rumination behavior among five institutionalized mentally retarded adults were studied, by independently manipulating caloric density versus consistency of the peanut butter. Results showed an inverse relationship between rates of rumination and amount of peanut butter consumed, an effect primarily…