Four mini-posters featuring imaginary animal characters which can be used by elementary school teachers to reinforce positive classroom behaviors. (CM)

The differential effects of contingent reward (candy), punishment (loss of candy), and knowledge of results (KOR) were investigated in eighty 9- to 10-year-old males. Level of performance of groups receiving KOR was significantly higher than performance on groups rewarded or punished with candy. (MS)

To identify the most potent reinforcers for 10 young children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the relative treatment utility of a verbal forced-choice questionnaire, child nomination, and direct observation was evaluated. Results demonstrated that all three methods were more likely to disagree than agree and that a forced-choice…

The Program for Academic Survival Skills (PASS) was adapted for use by secondary-level regular and special education students by incorporating a radio/tape player with a clocklight instrument which signaled when students were following classroom rules. Through use of precise classroom rules, instructive praise, corrective teaching, and rewards,…

Some practices intended to foster self-esteem may instead contribute to self-preoccupation. Self-esteem is fostered when children have opportunities to build self-confidence through effort, persistence, and acquisition of skills, knowledge, and appropriate behavior. Rather than overpraise children, teachers should treat them with respect, solicit…

Describes a Florida State University study of six women principals to determine specific influences in their emerging development as successful leaders. Although women can advance without mentors, having mentors can definitely advance the timetable for entering the administrative ranks. Since mentoring efforts are not always successful, careful…

In human infancy, 2 criteria for intentional communication are (a) persistence in and (b) elaboration of communication when initial attempts to communicate fail. Twenty-nine chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) were presented with both desirable (a banana) and undesirable food (commercial primate chow). Three conditions were administered: (a) the banana…

Over the past 30 years, research in the area of applied behaviour analysis has led to a rich knowledge and understanding of the variables that influence human behaviour. This understanding and knowledge has given rise to a range of assessment and intervention techniques that have been applied to individuals with challenging behaviour.…

Children rejected by parent figures develop significant behavior problems, including hostility, attention-seeking, aggression, and slow development of a conscience (Tully & Brendtro, 1998). Many such children exhibit problems in verbal and conceptual development and do not seem to learn from experience; they also resist submitting to adult…

For as long as libraries have charged fines for books returned after their due dates, this familiar practice has excited comment and controversy. Fines are thought by many to deter patrons from keeping materials too long. However, others believe there is little persuasive evidence that fines are more effective at minimizing overdues than are…

This paper presents preliminary assessment data on initial training and implementation of a statewide system of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PSIS) in New Hampshire. PBIS is the systematic organization of school environments and routines that enable educators to increase the capacity to adopt, use, and sustain effective…

A report calling for a top-to-bottom overhaul of the U.S. education and training system to help Americans compete in a global economy drew lavish praise and sharp criticism, foreshadowing what a heavy political lift its recommendations would likely be to carry out. Titled "Tough Choices or Tough Times," the report was unveiled at an all-day…

This article presents the argument presented by the author regarding the views of Baron and Galizio (2005), which provide an accurate and very clear version of the author's arguments against the use of the positive-negative reinforcement distinction in behavior analysis. Here, the author points out few things to add to Baron and Galizio's (2005)…

In this article, the author discusses and presents seven possibilities that describe how symmetry principles are reflected in behavior analysis. First, if there are apparently no functional distinctions to be made between positive and negative reinforcement, then reinforcer effectiveness (by various measures) is invariant under a simple inversion…

Although experts in early childhood mental health services make clear the need to infuse mental health services into all program components, many have suggested that the mental health services in the majority of Head Start programs are narrowly focused and that mental health consultants are often used in limited ways (see D. J. Cohen, Solnit, &…