Although contingency contracting is a popular strategy for use in treating distressed relationships, there is no direct evidence of its efficacy. A stimulus control model of change in behavioral couples' therapy states that conditions under which an agreement was negotiated are the primary determinants of whether the agreement is upheld. (Author)

Control by the use of behavior modification procedures is examined with regard to principles of reinforcement ordinarily in operation in daily living. Ethics of interpersonal control, particularly in the therapeutic relationship, is shown to be a pseudo issue and becomes, rather a question of purposes, methods, and materials. (Author/NQ)

Effects of a peer-mediated versus an antecedent prompt condition on the rate of independent movement and appropriate behavior of five handicapped preschool children during three classroom transition periods were evaluated. Results indicated that the antecedent prompt condition was superior. (Author/DB)

Investigated the use of interdependent group contingency for on-task and disruptive behavior along with independent group contingency for disruptive behavior to prevent children from spoiling group reinforcement. Results demonstrated that the combination of group contingency systems and immediate and delayed consequences were effective in reducing…

A 13-year-old who watched television excessively participated in a behavioral program featuring a token-actuated timer. Earned tokens activated the T.V. for 30-minute periods. The token-exchange system effectively reduced T.V. viewing and reductions were maintained at two followup points. (CL)

Effects of a movement suppression time-out, which involved punishing any movements or verbalization while a client is in the time-out area, were evaluated in four experiments. The procedure produced a larger reduction in the target behavior in all three children and effectiveness was explained in terms of suppression of self-stimulation during…

In a study of contingency awareness in four young severely handicapped, nonambulatory children with voluntary control over eye movements, all children demonstrated longer duration of visual fixation to the sensory stimulation display during sessions of contingent stimulation. (Author/CL)

A group outcome study evaluated the effectiveness of four treatment procedures in reducing self-injurious behavior among 22 severely handicapped students (mean age 10.5 years). Contingent restraint was most effective in reducing behavior below baseline levels. (Author/CL)

A group contingent free time procedure was effective in reducing disruptive behavior of third-grade children in math and language arts settings. (CL)

The influence of two parameters of self-initiated time-out from speaking were investigated with 33 adolescent and adult stutterers. When given the opportunity to determine time-out duration, subjects chose a relatively brief period. Significant improvements in fluency were observed during all three time-out conditions. (Author/SEW)

The paper presents guidelines for training staff to implement positive reductive procedures to decrease undesirable behaviors of their retarded students and clients. Considerations relevant to all reductive procedures are briefly discussed in the first portion of the paper, while guidelines indigenous to positive reductive procedures are discussed…

Sensitivity theory divides the causes of challenging behavior into three categories, aberrant contingencies, aberrant environments, and aberrant motivation. This paper replies to criticism that sensitivity theory is circular and unsupported by empirical evidence by reporting on studies that support the theory and rejecting the idea that…

The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report entitled "Kids and Media Use" in the United States that concluded that children's use of media--including television, computers, Internet, video games, and phones--may be one of the primary contributor's to the poor fitness and obesity of many of today's adolescents. The present study examines the…

Research has shown a positive correlation between time spent on homework and learning. However, students often engage in off-task behaviors to escape the demands of homework. Youth with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) are especially likely to engage in off-task behaviors. Effective interventions to increase on-task behavior during homework…

This study examined associations between televised news regarding risk for future terrorism and youth outcomes and investigated the effects of training mothers in an empirically based approach to addressing such news with children. This approach--Coping and Media Literacy (CML)--emphasized modeling, media literacy, and contingent reinforcement and…