In this paper, the authors complete the summative stage of the validity argument approach, then use their experiences to reflect on the validity argument as a method. They begin by evaluating the inferences and assumptions of the interpretive argument for the MKT measures. Then they examine both the form and the structure of the interpretive…

Young children with autism have deficits in initiating and responding to joint attention bids. This study was designed to examine a parent-implemented intervention targeting joint attention responding in children with autism. Parents were trained to increase their joint attention bids using behavior analytic techniques to facilitate appropriate…

The conceptual basis for many effective language-training programs are based on Skinner's (1957) analysis of verbal behavior. Skinner described several elementary verbal operants including mands, tacts, intraverbals, and echoics. According to Skinner, responses that are the same topography may actually be functionally independent. Previous…

Using a multiple probe design across responses, we demonstrated the effectiveness of intensive intervention in establishing spontaneous verbal responses to 2 3-year-old children with autism with generalization to novel settings involving novel persons. Intervention involved discrete-trial instruction (i.e., repeated instructional opportunities…

This monograph reviews and analyzes a set of treatment procedures exemplifying a positive or nonaversive approach to the amelioration of severe behavior problems in persons with developmental disabilities. Target behaviors include self-injury, aggression, and tantrums. Approximately 100 research articles drawn from 21 journals and a number of…

This document is intended to help school psychologists promote more effective generalization of school intervention programs for education students. Concepts (including transfer of training and response generalization) are reviewed. An approach is described which analyzes problem behavior according to its major controlling variables (skills or…

The booklet describes the efforts planned by the Washington Research Organization (UWRO) to study ways in which generalization of skills may be facilitated by severely retarded individuals. It is explained that activities of UWRO are organized around four major tasks: descriptive and laboratory research; research in natural educational settings;…

This literature review addresses the technical adequacy of time sampling observation systems, which is fundamental to ensuring the generalizability of data obtained from behavioral observation. Investigations comparing partial interval, whole interval, and momentary time sampling have yielded consistent results. These suggest that duration of…

Ways in which elementary school teachers can encourage children's maintenance and generalization of memory strategies were investigated. Questions guiding the research were: Does the teacher (1) Repeat strategy suggestions frequently? (2) Give a rationale for strategy use or feedback concerning the effectiveness of the strategy? and (3) Attempt to…

The report presents findings of an examination and followup of language intervention for language delayed preschoolers. Three objectives were addressed: to develop and use a strategy for assessing the long-term outcomes resulting from language training programs, before, during, and after the transition period from special preschool programs to the…

Among the 12 documents selected for this annotated bibliography of documents and journal articles in the ERIC database is an expert's argument that the brain's multipath and multimodal capacities are ignored by educators. Another writer fears that the "back-to-basics" movement may have eclipsed the prominence earlier accorded to thinking…

The objective of this pilot study was to directly compare operationalizations of Piagetian and behavioristic learning theories in terms of acquired skills and transferability of knowledge acquired. It was hypothesized that, in a population of kindergarten children, (1) Piagetian and behavioristic methods would be equally effective in teaching…

The report documents the findings of a 3-year study of the social skill development of severely handicapped youth within integrated school and community settings. A series of seven studies were instituted on two central issues: (1) the ability to train and promote generalization of social language skills in the form of initiation and respondent…

A study of the effects of an aversive stimulus (noise), a rationale, and sex of the punitive agent on punishment generalization of punishment resulted from the use of a rationale, although noise also produced generalization. (DP)