This guide to behavior modification provides teachers and others who work with children with some practical suggestions to reinforce productive classroom behavior. A description of common elementary classroom problems, the principles and ethical considerations in the use of behavior modification, suggestions for establishing a classroom climate…

Investigated the relationship between applied behavioral training and reinforcement preferences of classroom teachers. Data obtained from the Positive Reinforcement Observation Schedule, a paired comparison task, indicated minimal differential reinforcement preferences for classroom teachers with no training, limited training, or extensive…

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)

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…

The social interactions of three children were studied in a nursery school classroom. Collections of cards termed "mixies" were used as response consequences. By the third session, each child performed target behavior everytime he had an opportunity to do so. (HMV)

This manual is designed to help parents apply reinforcement theory in managing their children. The program explains how parents can systematically use consequences to teach children in positive ways. Units include: When to Reinforce; How to Reinforce; Reinforcement and Punishment in Everyday Life; and Why Parents (and Teachers) Goof; the Criticism…

The study attempted to modify the on-task and task completion rates of three kindergarten children by altering the contingencies of reinforcement associated with these two work behaviors. During baseline, a fixed number of tokens was provided for task completion. While the remainder of the class remained in this condition, teacher attention was…

A case study is presented in which aggressive behavior of two pre-school boys on a nursery school bus was modified by the introduction of a negative punishment contingency in which the Ss were told they would be detained on the bus until the second time the bus passed their house (delay of reinforcement) if abusive behavior occurred. (Author)

Overweight patients on a token economy psychiatric ward were reinforced with tokens, off ward privileges and social approval for meeting a weight loss criterion of three pounds per week. The progress of two subjects, both chronic paranoid schizophrenics, is described. The procedure appears to be effective. (Author)

School-based consultation typically focuses on individual student problems and on a small number of students rather than on changing the classroom system. The Classroom Check-Up was developed as a classwide consultation model to address the need for classroom-level support while minimizing treatment integrity problems common to school-based…

This study evaluated the use of three systematic reinforcement techniques and measures (a carrel, teacher attention, and a contingency contract) to increase the on-task and task completion behaviors of a first-grade child. The carrel and teacher attention increased on-task behavior (from a mean of 27.6 percent to 45.0 percent) but did not affect…

This study was designed to demonstrate the effects of teacher attention given for specific responses children show when using building blocks. These included the responses of combining triangles to make rectangles, stacking diverse pieces to make a tower, making stairs, making a variation on a model, and making a house-like, enclosed, roofed…

Children having academic and behavior problems may benefit from a contract drawn up by the teacher identifying specific behaviors that should be changed. Agreed upon and understood by student, teacher, and parents, the contract becomes an effective teaching tool. (JD)

The article provides a review of research on the role of punishment in relation to the normalization of retarded persons and points out that, in the natural environment, punishment procedures normally play some part in the determination of social behavior. (IM)