Examined the effectiveness of a response cost treatment package for improving the classroom behavior of four aggressive preschoolers. Teachers removed smiley faces and reprimanded children contingent on aggressive behavior. Results indicate that this method substantially decreased aggressive behavior and was a highly acceptable classroom treatment…

Process and outcome of a smoking cessation program using behavior therapy along (BT) or behavior therapy plus the nicotine patch (BTP) was studied in 64 participants. Abstinence was significantly higher for the BTP group from the end of behavioral treatment (79% vs. 63%) through the three-month follow-up, with the effects weakening at the six- and…

Sixteen published empirical studies are reviewed in which high-probability request sentencing was used to increase compliance to requests in children 8 years of age and younger. Results across the studies show effectiveness of the technique. A theoretical framework, methodological adequacies, utility, and implications for research are addressed.…

Takes issue with the findings of T. Levine, and S. McCornack, which suggest that behavioral adaption explanation (BAE) cannot account for the probing effect, the effect that sources interrogatively probed appear more honest to message recipients than nonprobed sources. (TB)

Responds to David Buller's defense of Behavioral Adaption Explanation (BAE), which was, in turn, written in response to the authors' critical analysis of BAE as an explanation for the probing effect. (TB)

Discusses the lack of thorough behavioral assessments prior to treatment interventions and describes a sequenced, structured format for conducting a comprehensive behavioral analysis. The procedures for the assessment are described, including recording observations, organizing information to clarify recurring patterns, interpreting observations,…

Presents retrospective analysis of cognitive behavior modification which reveals that three major metaphors have been offered to explain the role that cognitions play in behavior change; these metaphors include cognition as form of conditioning, information processing, and, currently, narrative construction. Discusses implications of using each of…

Examined effects of self-management procedure on off-task behavior and academic work of eight male mildly handicapped students. Results suggest that self-management reduced off-task behaviors and increased quality and quantity of academic work in special education classroom, and that peer mediated variant of procedure facilitated generality of…

South Africa has a fast-growing HIV/AIDS rate, with the highest prevalence among young people (15 to 24 years), especially females. This paper is a comprehensive analytical review of available research concerning the sexual behavior of adolescents in South Africa. It offers insight into HIV infection among adolescents and provides an important…

The effects of a behaviorally oriented psychological consultation program were evaluated in a system of 10 Head Start programs under varying conditions of goal setting, type of feedback received and degree of structure. Analysis on the basis of recording performance, final workshop examination scores and teacher ratings showed that the type of…

Cognitive-behavior modification (CBM) procedures were taught to special education teachers and elementary school guidance counselors who then administered treatment to 15 hyperactive/attention deficit disorder children. Comparisons were made between experimental and control Ss on a number of psychometric and experimental measures including the…

Paradoxical techniques in counseling consist of directing clients to practice the symptom which is causing them psychological distress. Both impression management theory and reactance theory have been advanced to explain the efficacy of such techniques. To examine the effectiveness of paradoxical techniques according to impression management and…

This article advocates the use of a problem-oriented approach for the measurement of change in patient status. The objective is to elicit a small number of specific and important problematic behaviors. Therapists can then rate changes in these behaviors periodically. (Author)

Observable behavior change is a more useful goal in counseling than self-acceptance or self-understanding. Goals should be stated as specific behavior changes desired by each client, compatible with the counselor's values, and externally observable. Behavioral goals would result in: (a) a clearer anticipation of what counseling could accomplish,…