The behavioral approach to health education described in this article has the potential to facilitate a decrease in the prevalence and incidence of some diseases. The techniques of positive reinforcement, modeling, self control, and stimulus control are described. (CJ)

P.R.A.I.S.E. (Positive Reinforcement and Individualized Systematic Economics) is a multifaceted money system which utilizes positive and negative reinforcement and, at the same time, incorporates peer pressure and reinforcement for behavior modification. The system motivates, relates closely to life situations, and can be applied to all areas of…

Practical techniques for the teacher to help the child deal with behavior problems and learn to establish self-control include: (1) positive reinforcement; (2) ignoring unpleasant behavior; and (3) setting realistic short-term goals. Methods for helping the student to develop better work habits and for squelching disruptive behavior are described.…

Since teacher enthusiasm affects student learning and attitudes, physical educators must be able to select teaching behaviors indicative of enthusiasm. Three chief categories which are necessary to the communication of enthusiasm are identified as: (1) participation; (2) encouragement; and (3) praise. (JN)

In two studies undergraduates with low self-esteem followed reinforcement paradigms. Found overt events to be preferable as reinforcers, although no differences existed between reinforcement groups and both did better than controls. Also found desirable behaviors that occurred infrequently, and very frequent but neutral behaviors, to be the most…

The results in this experiment identified both partial and continuous reinforcement as efficacious procedures for reversing learned helplessness in college students. The partial success therapy schedule produced greater response persistence in escape extinction following therapy. The framework for a new therapy technique, persistence training, is…

Children who have reading disabilities are prone to become emotionally maladjusted due to the humiliation of poor reading ability and the anxiety over gaining peer approval. Adding to the child's problems are negative parental reactions. Suggestions for remedies are given. (JN)

All persons, regardless of current stage of lifespan development, stand to benefit greatly by an improved understanding of aging and the aged. Instruction about aging can and should be integrated within existing health curricula. (CJ)

The behavior modification procedure, carried out at mealtime with a ten-year-old retarded boy who had spastic cerebral palsy, consisted of differential reinforcement and punishment, and resulted in substantial decreases in tongue thrust (reverse swallowing) and food expulsion, and a large increase in observed chewing. (Author/DLS)

Training involved instruction, performance feedback, role-playing, and social and monetary reinforcers. Among the findings were that training resulted in improvement in all 12 types of target behavior, and that treatment effects were rapid and were generally sustained after treatment had been discontinued for four weeks. (Author/DLS)

Examining the relationship of teachers' human relations skills to certain personal characteristics, classroom observations by independent observors, and ratings by supervisors and students, this study indicated certain positive relationships, suggesting more emphasis be placed on facilitative response and less on discriminatory activities in…

Two studies were conducted to assess the effects of interagent, inconsistent discipline on aggression in young boys. (MP)

Guidelines are offered for the teacher who must modify socially unacceptable behavior in an emotionally disturbed child. (JD)

This study of five young children with developmental delays or chronic health problems and with aberrant behaviors identified reinforcers that maintained aberrant behavior, used functional communication training to teach participants to gain reinforcement using mands, and implemented treatment involving choice making via manding. (JDD)

Three experiments were performed to study the relationship between reinforcer quality and behavioral momentum by varying reinforcer quality in two applied experiments and a basic laboratory experiment with rats. A study of two adolescent boys with mental retardation showed that compliance increasing effects could be improved by reinforcing…