A series of three studies investigating affective warmth was conducted. For the purpose of investigation, this quality was conceived as (1) a long term pattern of parental attention and responsiveness with positive affective tone (i.e., love), and (2) a reinforcer manipulated to shape behavior in the present. Each of the first two experiments…

This paper describes conceptualization and research on student motivation to learn, which is treated as the ideal motivational state for students in classroom settings and defined as the tendency of students to engage in academic activities with the intention of trying to get the intended academic benefits (knowledge and skills). Student…

This study investigated the effects of the nature of the algorithm, reinforcement, and level of problem difficulty on the ability of fourth graders to solve addition problems as measured by the number of problems correctly solved and the number of columns attempted. Subjects were selected for high scores on a test of basic addition facts; only…

The present study examines the relationship between alternation behavior and performance, and in addition, the effects of reinforcement configuration and relevant dimension upon the use of alternation strategies in probability learning. Also investigated is the hypothesis that children's errors at terminal levels of performance in a two-choice…

Argues that the most important factor in the success of any teaching method is the teacher's ability to reward children for correct behavior rather than punish them for incorrect behavior. The application of behavior modification principles to language arts instruction and discovery learning is discussed. (CW)

Two psychological theories which seem to have had a great impact on compensatory education programs are Skinnerian reinforcement theory and the cognitive developmental theory derived in part from Jean Piaget. The Englemann-Becker program is a typical example of the Programmed Curricular kind of program; the Florida Project, an Open Framework; and…

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The effect of fixed, gradually decreasing, or increasing delay of reward in discrimination learning on later delay of gratification was investigated in 150 male first-grade children. Increasing delays were found to facilitate delay behavior. This may be due to acquisition of coping responses or to the extinction of frustration. (GO)

Paired reading (with a helper) and an individualized approach employing a "pause, prompt, and praise" strategy were found equally effective in a comparison study involving 48 elementary students in Hong Kong with reading problems. Both forms of treatment produced greater gains than normal classroom instruction received by a control…

Reviews research findings that suggest a teacher cannot assume that social and/or concrete rewards always yield positive effects upon learning. (HOD)

Examined the effect of increasing verbalization of positive self-referent statements on self-esteem scores in 30 children. The experimental group received teacher praise contingent upon verbalizing positive self-referent statements and made significantly more positive self-referent statements than control students. Self-esteem scores for…

Subjects were three nine-year old boys with varying degrees of learning disabilities who tended to be hyperactive and disruptive. When given positive reinforcement for periods of on task behavior,'' their undesired behavior disappeared. As a result, the degree of disruptive behavior for the whole class was decreased during reinforcement periods.…