Four procedures for improving the performance of nine motor tasks were compared with six physically handicapped and mentally retarded Canadian Ss, ages 12-25, five of whom were cerebral palsied. (BB)

A multiply-handicapped totally dependent young adult exhibited a steadily increasing rate of response in learning to turn her radio on and off by moving her head to activate a controlling device mounted on the headrest of her wheelchair. Positive reinforcement, prompting, and fading were employed during the intervention (Author/JW)

Investigated fifth graders', teachers', and school psychologists' assessment of acceptability of three types of group contingencies (dependent, independent, and interdependent) that entail a consequence of positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Fifth graders rated all three types of group contingencies mildly acceptable. Teachers and…

Found parent-youth sentiment and power varied markedly among four continuous groups of 443 drug-using/drug-abstaining youth between the ages of 9 and 17. Suggests that prosocial behaviors are enhanced when behavioral expectations are clearly specified and reinforced with praise, encouragement, and other positive rewards. (Author/NB)

For many children, sports participation develops skills and provides a fun activity. For others, however, it may have negative effects, including loss of self-esteem, depression and agressive behavior. Major psychological issues associated with youth sports are discussed and suggestions on how to encourage a child's participation are offered. (JL)

Process reinforcement is proposed as a reinforcement method that is more comfortable, personal, comprehensive, and interactive than traditional behavior modification. Process reinforcement strengthens desired behaviors by engaging learners in a one-on-one examination of how they achieved correct responses and by practicing comfortable eye contact…

The article summarizes results of three experiments evaluating the effectiveness of a packaged program for improving and maintaining the on-task behavior of mildly handicapped children through the use of variable interval reinforcement schedules. On-task behavior increased and was maintained in all three experiments and academic performance…

Positive reinforcement was used to effectively treat aggressive and noncompliant behavior of two visually impaired, multiply handicapped male students (an 18-year-old and an 11-year-old). In one case positive effects of treating aggressive behaviors generalized to a reduction in self injurious behaviors. (DB)

Paired reading (with a helper) and an individualized approach employing a "pause, prompt, and praise" strategy were found equally effective in a comparison study involving 48 elementary students in Hong Kong with reading problems. Both forms of treatment produced greater gains than normal classroom instruction received by a control…

Describes two experiments that examined the conditions determining age changes in novelty preferences of children. (HOD)

Examined the effect of increasing verbalization of positive self-referent statements on self-esteem scores in 30 children. The experimental group received teacher praise contingent upon verbalizing positive self-referent statements and made significantly more positive self-referent statements than control students. Self-esteem scores for…

Paradoxical strategies appear to provide a change in the dynamics of the teacher-child relationship and are thus a more systemic way of viewing problem behavior than time-out procedures. Three case studies are presented in which the paradoxical strategies have varying degrees of success. (Author/ABB)

Describes Parent-Aided Homework, a behavior modification program designed to encourage parent involvement in their child's homework. The PAH plan stresses positive reinforcement for successfully completed homework assignments. Parents enforce the agreed-on time limits and provide extra learning experiences and rewards. (JAC)

Discusses the implications of a society devised according to Skinner's Behavior Modification Theory. (SB)