Two studies investigated the hypothesis that noncontingent interviewer "mm-hmms" facilitate interviewee verbal productivity. Within- and between-subjects comparisons failed to support the hypothesis, although interviewees' ratings indicate that the mm-hmms were perceived as the social reinforcers they were intended to be. (Author)

Significant reduction of seizures in an 11-year-old girl was achieved through a contingency management program implemented by her classroom teacher. The program was designed to shift the focus from her actual seizures to her seizure-free time periods. Seizures diminished over the total treatment period. (Author)

The present study examined the efficacy of rational-emotive psychotherapy and systematic desensitization in the treatment of stuttering. Both therapies, making extensive use of in vivo behavioral assignments, were examined under the presence and absence of in vivo tasks. Results show that rational-emotive therapy was more effective in reducing…

The present study examined indirect effects of modifying appropriate classroom behavior by itself and academic performance by itself. Results show reinforcing appropriate behavior increased that behavior but produced little improvement in arithmetic performance. However, reinforcing arithmetic performance increased correct work and resulted in a…

The present study investigated effects of a token program for one child on the attending behavior of other children sitting near him. Results show the rewarded child's attending increased in the reinforcement conditions and the unrewarded children's attending increased when they were sitting on either side of the rewarded child. (Author)

Describes an innovative Youth Services Program, an operational unit of the Dallas Police Department, which has drastically reduced the rearrest/recidivism rate for juvenile offenders. The program teaches three basic skills: physical fitness, interpersonal skills and study skills. (HMV)

It is asserted that behavior modification principles (such as using behavioral objectives, positive consequences, and individualized adaptations) should be employed in teaching behavior modification techniques to parents and teachers. (CL)

Effects of instructions, modeling, and rehearsal in training college students in empathic communication were investigated. Analysis of responses indicated that improvement in empathic communication occurred for all training groups. Specific instructions appeared to be a critical factor in facilitating written performance. Modeling seemed to be…

Examines the effects of training second grade boys identified as impulsive (on a matching familiar figures test) to use a more analytic approach in processing stimuli. (CM)

The article describes the successful application with six severely retarded institutionalized Ss (ages 13-23) of a shortened version of the behavior modification toilet training program developed by N. H. Azrin and R. M. Foxx. (DLS)

Creative drawings of three preschool girls were modified using reinforcement procedures. Adult judges gave higher ratings of creativity for drawings with increased form diversity but not for those with increased color diversity. The role of social validation in defining and encouraging creativity is discussed. (Author/BH)