A variety of psychotherapeutic methodologies has proliferated as a consequence of rapid growth in the need for mental health services. The effectiveness of many of these methods is questionable. Although each psychotherapeutic technique advances claims for its continued use based on clinical effectiveness, few offer adequate scientific evidence to…

This paper reflects an attempt to chronicle the events, articles, and hearings which concerned the application of behavior technology in adult prison systems between January 1, 1973 and November 1, 1974. The events of this time period are viewed by the author as demanding the attention of behavior therapists, legislators, correctional officials,…

The effects of covert operant reinforcement upon remedial reading learning tasks were investigated. Forty junior high school students were taught to imagine either neutral scenes (control) or positive scenes (treatment) upon cue while reading. It was hypothesized that positive covert reinforcement would enhance performance on several measures of…

This study compared children's dependence on situational cues by a model to their reliance on the general affective valence of the model, in order to assess the role of each in determining vicarious changes in preference. Subjects were forty 4-year-olds attending a day care center. Among five toys used in pilot testing, a box of clothespins was…

The paper describes the use of an operant procedure to assess the speech perception of 11 young (7 to 35 months old) hearing impaired children and 11 normally hearing subjects. Subjects were presented with a repeating background stimulus and conditioned to turn their head on presentation of a contrasting syllable. The head-turning responses were…

Traditionally, the treatment of geriatric patients suffering from Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) has been characterized by non-therapeutic custodial care. To determine whether elderly clients with dementia can benefit from self-care skill training, and to compare their progress with clients without OBS, 30 clients of the Residential Aging Program in…

The consultant's role in training teachers to use behavior modification techniques is examined. It is explained that a combination of knowledge and guided experience with feedback and support, has been found most effective. Among typical problems cited for teachers using behavioral techniques is a lack of reinforcement. Answers to the five…

In its relatively short history, instructional development has been greatly influenced by operant conditioning theory and methodology. This approach has been described by some as simplistic, inhuman, and inflexible. The humanistic approach, on the other hand, focuses on affective, emotional, and intellectual learning experiences. But it seems to…

This study investigated the effects of prior experience with contingent or noncontingent stimulation of infants' ability to learn different responses to control perceptual stimulation. In the pretest phase, baseline rates of level movement, panel press and vocal responding were determined for each of the twelve, 6-month-old infants in the study.…

The paper argues that existing computer programs for thermal predictions do not produce suitable information for architects, particularly at the early stages of design. It reviews the important building features that determine the thermal environment and the need for heating and cooling plant. Graphical design aids are proposed, with examples to…

In an attempt to shape better teaching, 18 students were given the opportunity to provide continuous feedback to a college instructor concerning a particular aspect of his lecturing. A student feedback device (SFD) used in this research consists of three major parts: (1) a feedback panel containing 18 indicator lights, each light being clearly…

Agoraphobia is the most pervasive and serious phobic response seen by clinicians, accounting for approximately 50 to 60% of all phobic problems. The symptoms of agoraphobia, a condition in which an individual fears entering public areas, include fears of leaving home, fainting, entering open and closed spaces, shopping, entering social situations,…

Play intervention as an adjunct treatment for accelerating peer social interaction of a preschool isolate was examined. Teacher reinforcement of indoor play equipment utilization was employed as a procedure to increase an asocial four-year-old female subject's social interaction with peers. Touching peers, using peer names, verbalizations,…

Examined were the effects of four teachers' use of a data-based behaviorally oriented planning technique on the verbal labeling performance of eight developmentally delayed children (2-5 years old). Teachers were introduced to a 10-tactic planning technique that included behaviors ranging from simply counting the number of correct and incorrect…

Discussed are general and direct strategies for developing behavioral and academic self control in children in inner city classrooms. Reviewed are traditional classroom management practices in terms of nonmanagement, overmanagement, and mismanagement. Effective general strategies recommended include modeling by the teacher and behavioral…