Focuses on theory and findings from three lines of research which seek to clarify differences in the subtle but powerful influence exerted by both non-reaction from an observing adult and evaluative aspects of social cues operative in a variety of interpersonal and achievement situations. (JH)

Thirty elementary school students were divided into four groups based on level of pretest approval and response strategy shown on a "probe" following treatment. The efficacy of a social stimulus was tested using a two-choice discrimination learning task in which every correct response was reinforced with the word "good." (Author/JMB)

Investigated the effects of prior provisions of social approval on the ensuing potency of a social approval stimulus as measured by a progressive-ratio test of social reinforcer efficacy. Subjects were four elementary school students. (Author/JMB)

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…

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a planned program designed to enhance the self concepts of primary children having negative self concepts. The data indicated that the self concepts of 30 children in kindergarten through grade four were enhanced through a sequentially planned program of elicitation of positive…

This study describes how a graduate student in counseling and guidance worked with a team of teachers in implementing a group-contingent reinforcement system with first graders. The group contingencies proved highly effective in increasing the percentage of work completed and reducing disruptive responses. (Author)

Examines the effects of frequency and contingency of reinforcement on the social deprivation-satiation phenomenon. Third- and fourth-grade children were given pretraining involving variations of reinforcement in the form of praise. In a subsequent discrimination test, correct responses were consistently praised. (Author/SS)

Experimental and ethological studies were undertaken to clarify the role of positive and negative evaluations in the control of the child's performance on laboratory and classroom learning tasks. The results indicate that "social reinforcers" are effective to the extent that they communicate to the child unambiguous information on the adequacy of…

Forty primary school students were randomly assigned into four groups based on the level of pretest approval provision and type of pretest task. The efficacy of social approval as a reinforcing stimulus was then tested on a two-choice discrimination learning task in which every correct response was reinforced by contingent approval presentation.…

This study tested the prediction that a satiation effect would be observed only for noncontingent social stimuli, and not for groups presented with contingent stimuli. (Author/SB)

The relative effectiveness of praise and group competition as motivating incentives affecting task persistence in young children was investigated. As predicted, competition was relatively more effective with 2nd graders than with kindergarten children, with boys than with girls, and with boring tasks than with more ego-involving tasks. However,…

Data of several experiments described strongly suggest that generalized imitation as studied under successive-discrimination procedures is largely a function of the particular priming procedures used to generate the imitative behavior. (JH)

Age-related differences in imitation and recall were studied in children ranging from preschool to college age. Results indicated that children were more sensitive to vicarious consequences than adults. (ST)

Previous research has shown that certain counseling methods, unlike behavioral counseling procedures, have been unsuccessful in improving the sociometric status of unpopular and uncooperative elementary students. This study attempted to assess the effectiveness of behavioral counseling. Forty elementary students were identified as unpopular and…