School psychologists as consultants can provide valuable services to the school organization by developing interventions for truancy. Traditionally, truancy has been viewed as a discipline referral rather than a psychological referral, with the consequences predominantly punitive in nature and ineffectual. A variety of approaches to improving…

A study at South Carolina State College examined the psychosocial effects of relaxation training on student dropout, disruptive behavior,and absenteeism of rural preadolescents between 10 and 14 years of age. Phase 1 of the study was composed of 62 preadolescents selected randomly from 167 middle school students with no previous instruction in…

The comparative effectiveness of two student monitoring and reinforcement strategies was assessed among primary school students. The 50 participating students met in a multi-purpose instructional center during one of two sessions for academic periods of 30 minutes, three times a week. Students were assigned to one of six study groups in the…

The authors outline the basic principles of the new sex therapy and examine some problems dealt with in this therapy such as impotency, anxiety and prior negative learning. (HMV)

Three behavioral training programs for college men with dating inhibitions were evaluated. All treatment groups received a dating manual, contact with female confederates, and group discussion meetings. The discussion group received only these treatment components, while the other two treatment groups received behavior rehearsal. All treatment…

This study assessed the effect of type of counselor training program on 92 counselor students' verbal behavior change. A lecture presentation, lecture and reading, and lecture, reading and modeling programs were compared. Results show that lecture presentation and lecture plus reading produced significant increases of verbal behavior compared to…

The combined effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) and a token reinforcement program in controlling the classroom behavior of 16 hyperactive, institutionalized retarded youngsters (9- to 15-years-old) was investigated. (Author)

The authors describe two procedures that are used in psychological education which aim to help students identify and internalize cognitive and affective changes. The first method is the setting of weekly behavioral objectives. The second is a behavioral evaluation completed at the end of each semester by the students. (Author/SE)

One snake-phobic woman and one spider-phobic woman, after having received systematic desensitization, were exposed to a live snake or spider in a caged or an uncaged condition. The implications of these findings for the external validity of the behavioral approach test are discussed. (EJT)

Adults with chronic tension headaches were assigned to auditory electromyograph (EMG) feedback (N=9), to progressive relaxation (N=9), and to placebo treatment (N=9). Data indicated that biofeedback and verbal relaxation instructions were equally superior to the medicine placebo on all measured variables in the direction of clinical improvement,…

An undergraduate's problem consisted of recurrent, frightening, and uncontrollable visual sensations. The client cooperated in exercises which involved producing, maintaining, and dismissing the sensations at the verbal signals of the therapist. At both the 45- and 85-day follow-up, the client reported substantially reduced incidence of the…

The purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for involving school counselors in the provision of feedback facilitated relaxation training. Focus will be on the nature and use of electromyographic feedback to teach muscle relaxation and the potential application of this training to educational settings. (Author)

Elderly people in institutions frequently become isolated and noncommunicative. By using behavioral measurements of group workers and group members, the authors have formulated ways of treatment that encourage members to participate more actively. (Author)