Response to article in previous issue by Max Bruck (April 1968). Argues that behavioral approach has been empirically demonstrated to be effective in altering problem behavior, and offers advantages over more traditional approaches. Proposes that behavioral psychology can deal with all important aspects of complex human behavior. (Author)

A survey was conducted of 406 elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers to determine their understanding, acceptance, and use of the principle of operant conditioning. The treatment of data was by percent and chi square analysis primarily according to sex, experience, degree, and position. Subjects reported that a) they believed that the…

This experiment attempted to condition subject's answers to a questionnaire about study-related behaviors using verbal social reinforcement and to measure the extent to which this training affected rate of studying. For five of the six subjects, significant changes in study comments resulted. (Author)

Twenty children diagnosed as mentally retarded (MR) were enrolled in a special training program designed to increase Ss' school-appropriate behaviors by means of the sequential and consequential arrangement of teaching objectives and teaching procedures. A hierarchy of achievement levels was established with a sequential and consequential…

B. F. Skinner's suggestions concerning control of society are discussed with reference to the kinds of control already taken over children and students. An emphasis is placed upon the behavioral goal as a necessary characteristic of educational and child rearing procedures. It is suggested that a prejudice against the young allows us to use…

Behavior analysis for changing behavior in mentally retarded and educationally handicapped children involves the classroom teacher in four tasks. (CL)

The author describes a counseling technique which: (1) is based upon behavior theory and treats acts and thoughts as operants, and anxiety as a respondent controlled by classical conditioning; (2) entails in vivo desensitization, requiring the construction of a hierarchy of anxiety-producing situations which can be enacted; (3) uses peer- or…

This study tests the contention that a reinforcing agent's manner of administering rewards and punishments is construed by his associates as revealing his margin of freedom, and that associates are more attentive to cues concerning a reinforcing agent's dispositional qualities, and more inclined to ingratiate themselves to him, when he employes…

Research has shown that behavior can be successfully modified if behavioral goals are specified and the behavior is broken down into small workable units. This report presents a case study in which the method of successive approximations was used with a young male client to develop public speaking ability. (Author)

This module cluster enables (a) students to operationally define various classroom behaviors; (b) define and utilize behavioral principles; and (c) correctly employ measurement methods which facilitate information gathering, monitoring, and management of academic and/or "problem" classroom behaviors. It contains modules in the following ten areas:…

There are 13 modules included this module cluster for individualizing instruction in behavior modification at the college level: a) Writing Instructional Objectives, b) Defining Operant Terms, c) Basic Operant Principles, d) Analysis of Behavior in Operant Terms, e) Operant Measurement Techniques, f) Recording Operant Behaviors, g) Specifying the…

The teacher's guide presents some of the basic considerations necessary for classroom implementation of a public school program for autistic and seriously emotionally disturbed (ED) children. Included are descriptive infomration about typical ED student's behavior and management techniques for use in the classroom. Also given are basic ideas…

Three nonprofessionals, including those with limited education and advanced age, received training to become effective behavior modification agents (therapists). Each was then individually observed and videotaped in his work with a retarded child. Therapists' performances were not adequate for effecting the desired changes in the childrens'…

The handbook provides a guide for the development of a public school program for autistic and seriously emotionally disturbed (ED) children which reflects the experience and successful elements of the Orange County (Florida) School District program. Included are sections on program rationale and philosophy (providing equal education…