The applicability of token reinforcement programs in public school settings is discussed in terms of: (1) effectiveness; (2) ease of implementation and management; (3) expense; (4) compatability with school and community attitudes; and (4) pupil satisfaction. (Author)

A study explored the relationship of interest in story content, external incentives, and reading level to elementary school children's reading performance. The subjects, 75 fifth grade students who were either average or below-average readers, were asked to rate the content of five stories from "most" to "least" interesting and were then assigned…

The question examined by this study was: Are the traditional reinforcers common to many planned programs of reinforcement in the classroom relevant and meaningful to the pupils themselves? Data is reported from a questionnaire administered to seven-year-old pupils, ten-year-old pupils, and their teachers. A discrepancy was found between reward…

Motivational techniques and strategies that may be used by teachers to strengthen student performance and reinforce positive attitudes toward learning are discussed and analyzed. The topic is divided into eight major factors for consideration: (1) why human behavior occurs, what is motivation, the mythology of motivation and learning, and the time…

Case studies were conducted to assess the personal learning styles and behaviors of elementary school children to provide teachers the opportunity of using prescribed teaching techniques to match students' styles. Six groups of behaviors were identified: (1) students demonstrate little internal control and are likely to act out and create…

An evaluation-reward system was developed in which students received points based on a comparison of their weekly quiz performance to a "base score" which was derived from a pretest, and adjusted to reflect actual weekly performance. This system was evaluated in terms of its effect on student achievement, using a group of English classes…

Professional physical educators can facilitate, encourage, and promote a significant contribution to the social institution of youth sports through the roles of positive acceptance, active participation, and research. A positive attitude of acceptance relative to the impact and influence of youth sports on the profession as well as on society in…

Four treatment procedures were evaluated for effectiveness in reducing self injurious behavior (SIB) of 22 severely handicapped students. Treatment procedures included contingent restraint, reinforcement withdrawal, differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior, and ommission training (rewarding the S for not emitting the SIB response).…

The effects of a competency based intervention strategy on selected behaviors of student teachers in physical education were investigated to determine if there was any subsequent change in two categories of pupil behavior. Subjects received a competency based package, which included specific instructions, a reading sheet, graphic feedback, cues,…

This manual for classroom teachers is designed to teach the application of contingency contracting procedures in the typical instructional setting. A "contingency contract" is an agreement between teacher and student whereby the student, upon demonstration of specific task achievement, receives a reward: permission to participate in a "reinforcing…

In order to clarify the conditions under which material rewards have a detrimental effect upon children's later interest in the rewarded task, the effect of a reward for drawing was measured with 24 preschool children ranging in age from 34 to 40 months. The children were grouped as high or low in initial interest on the basis of observation of…

This article describes the use of the precise feedback and negative reinforcement to ameliorate problems at a community health center. Both procedures were successful in improving the performance (returning toys to their appropriate places) of undergraduate paraprofessionals involved in an educational program for disadvantaged children. The study…

This manual, designed to orient new assistant teachers to the principles and routines of the Pennsylvania Research in Infant Development and Education (PRIDE) project, a center-based program enrolling 43 children ages 12-38 months, contains a brief section giving background information on the project and the project's specific guidelines for…

This paper presents a study designed to produce a change in the behavior and self-esteem of a 9-year-old boy who had been diagnosed as having learning disabilities and poor visual-motor ability. The boy was described by his teachers as having a very short attention span and as exhibiting disruptive behaviors, such as ignoring teacher requests,…