Today, the term 'behavior therapy' has no clear denotation. Those who adhere to the more delimited meanings of behavior therapy tend to disregard significant nonbehavioral therapeutic development. They also overlook convincing data demonstrating that in adult humans, conditioning is produced through cognitive mediation. Adoption of a more…

Author argues that humanism and behaviorism are not necessarily exclusive of one another, and that principles of behaviorism, when thoughtfully applied, can lead to the achievement of humanistic goals. (RW)

Contingent praise by classroom teachers was used to cue and reinforce cross-sex cooperative play in 2 nursery school classes of 4-year-old children. Results suggested that previous learning and/or current classroom contingencies may reinforce same-sex playmate choices when teachers do not deliberately reinforce play between boys and girls. (JMB)

Analyses of the self-monitoring scale reveal an acting ability factor referring to performance in the sense of theatrical entertainment. Social acting items having face validity for ability to modify self-presentation in everyday life have very little in common with stage acting items of Snyder's Self-monitoring scale. Contingent and noncontingent…

An intermittent reinforcement procedure using tangible reinforcers was successful in maintaining the occurrence of nutritious snack choices by three developmentally normal preschoolers (ages 4-5), behaviors which had initially been established using correspondence training procedures. (JW)

The article provides a review of behavioral staff training (focusing on antecedent, contingency management, and multi-faceted procedures) in special education settings, primarily institutions. Techniques are discussed according to such criteria as evaluation of staff behavior, changes in client behavior, inclusion of follow-up observations, and…

The study examined effects of varied punishers (overcorrection, time-out, or a verbal "no" compared with the single presentation of one punisher (a loud noise) on occurrence of inappropriate behaviors in three developmentally delayed children (ages 5-6). Both formats produced a decrease in target behaviors, with the varied-punisher format slightly…

An interdependent group-managed response-cost system mediated by free tokens was employed to decrease inappropriate verbalizations of two groups of elementary-level learning disabled children (N=9). Results indicated that this contingency system was a viable and effective method of decreasing inappropriate behavior. Peer pressure was credited for…

The study evaluated a commonly used component of brief time-out, in which release from time-out is delayed contingent on the occurrence of the disruption. Data were collected for one normal and two mentally retarded children on time-out producing behaviors and delay-producing behaviors during time-out. (Author/CL)

Effects of an intervention and fading package (teacher prompting and contingent praise) on social initiations of three withdrawn preschool subjects were investigated. Among reported results was that abrupt removal of prompting resulted in similarly abrupt reductions in subjects' social initiations, whereas response-dependent fading maintained…

A factor analysis of Fiedler's Least Preferred Co-Worker (LPC) Scale and measure of situational control produced eight factors. Several factors failed to demonstrate internal consistency upon replication. Argues that the LPC and situational control measure are more complex than generally assumed. Suggests further attention to operational…

Describes an alternative program for ninth-graders "having adjustment problems." The voluntary program includes simple and consistent classroom rules, frequent graded assignments, and a focus on relevance to students' life experiences; students are encouraged to do schoolwork through a system of group rewards. (MCG)

Consequence evaluation data are reported from a summer training program to introduce teachers to contingency management. Over a two-year period, 18 of the 19 teachers who remained in the program were certified. Findings suggested the logistical feasibility of conducting consequence evaluation. (CL)

An 11-year-old boy with a six-year history of elective mutism in school was successfully treated with operant reinforcement and contingency management techniques. The plan was carried out by the classroom teacher with a minimum amount of management consultation. (Author)