Develops a conceptual framework for determining the appropriateness of various methodologies. Concludes that educators should stop switching from one to another and recognize that the best methodology is contingent upon the circumstances. (Falmer Press, Falmer House, Barcombe, Nr Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5DL, UK) (JOW)

The contingency intervention system based upon an Apple II microcomputer is described and its application to three Down's syndrome infants and one premature infant is discussed. The use of the microcomputer as a behavioral microscope in infant intervention is examined. (Author/CL)

Three experiments investigated the effects of self recording, tokens and contingent free time on learning disabled children's reading comprehension performance. Results of these three experiments supported recent findings that only minimal changes occur on comprehension performance when left as an untargeted dependent behavior. (Author)

The results show that orientation was affected by the contingencies, but productivity was not. An increase in task attention did not result in a corresponding increase in productivity. (Author)

Individual and group management programs have been reported to be effective methods of reducing off-task behaviors; however, few studies have empirically contrasted the two intervention programs. Utilizing a multi-element design, individual and group contingency systems were found to significantly reduce disruptive-unacceptable behaviors in a…

Presented is a list of reinforcers appropriate for use in contingency management systems with secondary-level students with disabilities. The reinforcers are organized into the following categories: edible reinforcers, tangible reinforcers, activity reinforcers, social reinforcers, and group reinforcement. Suggestions are provided for using the…

Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Many smokers initiate this dangerous behavior during adolescence. This report describes a contingency management intervention designed to initate and maintain a period of abstinence from cigarettes by adolescent smokers. Results suggest that the intervention was…

The greatest challenge of a facilitator is correcting individual or collective behaviors that detract from the group's work. Preparing to intervene and knowing when to do so are critical to effective facilitation. To facilitate means "to make easier." In conducting meetings, the facilitator serves the group by making easier or more effective the…

Contingency management (CM) for drug abstinence has been applied to individuals independently even when delivered in groups. We developed a group CM intervention in which the behavior of a single, randomly selected, anonymous individual determined reinforcement delivery for the entire group. We also compared contingencies placed only on cocaine…

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a contingency contracting program to eliminate nocturnal enuresis of three children ages 5 to 12. Methods: The program was implemented by the children's primary caregivers, two of whom were foster parents and the third a case worker in the foster care system. The program was a package…

Objective: To investigate single and combined effects of stimulant medication and contingencies on the performance of ADHD children with tasks involving different cognitive demands. Method: Children diagnosed with ADHD participated in a within-subjects design. At two separate sessions, children on either medication or placebo (administered in a…

Great controversy exists on whether associative learning occurs without awareness. In Experiment 1, 31 participants received discrimination training by repeated presentations of two stimulus sequences (S1[subscript A] right arrow S2[subscript A], and S1[subscript B] right arrow S2[subscript B]), S1 being a masked stimulus. S2 were imperative…

The effects of a systematic study period, peer tutoring, and contractual consequences on the spelling performance of six junior high learning disabled students were investigated. Ss were scoring poorly or inconsistently on unit spelling tests. An intervention period of 2 to 4 weeks consisted of daily exposure to words through a peer tutor and…

The paper outlines the basic tactics in pro-active behavior management, a behavior modification approach for use with severely handicapped students which reorders the staff/student relationship by focusing on positive interaction. Pro-active behavior management is noted to involve interruption of established behavior chains, environmental…

Response contingent hand overcorrection was used to reduce the frequency of self-stimulatory behaviors in four retarded adults. (CM)