Argues that the most important factor in the success of any teaching method is the teacher's ability to reward children for correct behavior rather than punish them for incorrect behavior. The application of behavior modification principles to language arts instruction and discovery learning is discussed. (CW)

In the best of conceivable worlds, the use of punishment would not be necessary. In the real world of school, however, punishment is sometimes needed. The author provides guidelines for maximizing the positive effects of punishment. (Author/RK)

Underachieving high school students participated in an English program, in which they could select games or other activities as rewards for academic or social skills mastery specified in a weekly contract. Students' game preferences and teacher guidelines on game use were identified. (SJL)

Separate experiments were done with six blind students (ages 16-20 years) to test the effectiveness of using punishment (prerecorded sound of chalk screeching on a blackboard) and positive reinforcement (money) in natural and laboratory settings to reduce "blindisms" (stereotypic behaviors). (Author/DLS)

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An intensive French course, offered as an experimental summer course at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, was a learning experience in which students were intrinsically motivated. Assumptions of Frank M. Grittner concerning motivating students in language programs are discussed. (SW)

The study compared sentence elaboration, verbal praise, and information feedback training on paired-associate learning; and compared treatments on four second-list transfer paradigms (facilitative, neutral, and interfering). One hundred twenty middle class, high I.Q. second graders were trained to criterion, then given three trials on the transfer…

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of positive and negative reinforcements upon black college students. The perceived objectivity of white evaluators was compared to that of black evaluators. Perceived objectivity being the social reinforcement likely to be accepted, internalized, and complied with in proportion to the…

The effect of fixed, gradually decreasing, or increasing delay of reward in discrimination learning on later delay of gratification was investigated in 150 male first-grade children. Increasing delays were found to facilitate delay behavior. This may be due to acquisition of coping responses or to the extinction of frustration. (GO)

This article reviews four strategies employed to remediate obesity: diet restriction, use of drugs, surgical treatment, and behavior modification. The conclusion is reached that behavior modification is the most effective strategy. (JD)

Four procedures for improving the performance of nine motor tasks were compared with six physically handicapped and mentally retarded Canadian Ss, ages 12-25, five of whom were cerebral palsied. (BB)

A multiply-handicapped totally dependent young adult exhibited a steadily increasing rate of response in learning to turn her radio on and off by moving her head to activate a controlling device mounted on the headrest of her wheelchair. Positive reinforcement, prompting, and fading were employed during the intervention (Author/JW)

Investigated fifth graders', teachers', and school psychologists' assessment of acceptability of three types of group contingencies (dependent, independent, and interdependent) that entail a consequence of positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Fifth graders rated all three types of group contingencies mildly acceptable. Teachers and…

Found parent-youth sentiment and power varied markedly among four continuous groups of 443 drug-using/drug-abstaining youth between the ages of 9 and 17. Suggests that prosocial behaviors are enhanced when behavioral expectations are clearly specified and reinforced with praise, encouragement, and other positive rewards. (Author/NB)