In this study, the effects of rewards on same-different judgments of size, color, and weight were investigated. Subjects were 45 children at the kindergarten and first-grade level. The children were assigned to one of three conditions: (1) rewarded for reporting black in the identification of the colors of balls contained inside gray jars, (2)…

The article describes ways in which band directors can use positive reinforcement techniques to improve band members' performance. (CD)

Results of the present experiments on raising expectations are consistent with previous experiments in that the generalization effect, while significant, is smaller in magnitude than the direct effect. (Author)

The rate of achievement and enjoyment of 12 learning disabled pupils (ages 8-12 years) in a token economy was demonstrated to be higher when they were permitted to select their own reinforcers than when the teacher selected the reinforcers. (MH)

Assesses a self-reward contracting procedure intended to facilitate completion of self-administered desensitization. Self-referred snake phobics received either (a) self-administered desensitization; (b) self-administered desensitization with self-reward contracting; or (c) a self-administered placebo with self-reward contracting. Results show the…

The Programmed Achievement Study System (PASS), based on positively reinforcing attempts at mastery, was introduced and empirically tested to determine its validity. It makes use of traditional learning principles by providing rewards (bonus points) contingent upon reaching specified mastery criteria. (Author/LBH)

This study examined the efficacy of behavior modification in treating three hyperkinetic children (6 to 12 years old). (Author)

Punishment given in a caring, supportive environment can assist children to learn some tasks more quickly, when used in conjunction with programmed positive reinforcement. The manner in which a punishment is implemented impacts its effectiveness. Two experiments are presented in which teachers used creative punishment to produce classroom behavior…

The paper discusses efforts to reduce maladaptive behaviors in retarded persons including seven desirable characteristics of behavioral change agents, programmatic factors contributing to failure (such as a reactive rather than active intervention model), appropriate use of reinforcement, reasons clients misbehave, and research based suggestions…

Contingency packages can be incorporated into classroom management techniques for reluctant learners (who may have already experienced failure in education) to encourage enthusiasm and motivation for learning. Suggestions are provided for implementing programs using a robot or football concepts. (CB)

There is little incentive for teachers to become school administrators. The extra pay does not make up for the long hours and commitment expected of school leaders. School boards need to work to provide support and incentives to attract competent administrators. (MD)

Objective love can alter the learning process. The person who has habitually encountered success in his/her first and formative responses to the world tends to develop a positive-orientation (an attitude of objective love) toward novelty itself and may actually seek out new problems, new challenges, in anticipation of future success. (RM)

The effects of a positive peer culture program upon the moral development of "youths in distress" within the framework of street-corner gangs was measured. Moral-development measures indicated a positive effect upon the participants, and for some moral indices, on their friends' moral development. (Author/LMO)