Reviews probation training programs and probation contracting, the application of social learning to this field. Probation and the social learning approach are compatible: both stress intervention and prevention of further problems directly in the natural environment by natural mediators. (Author/LHW)

Moderately obese volunteers were randomly assigned to two treatment conditions (behavior therapy or behavior therapy plus aerobic exercise) and two posttreatment conditions (no further contact or a multicomponent maintenance program). Clients in the aerobic exercise condition lost significantly more weight than those who received behavior therapy…

Behavioral procedures were used to modify the food choices of eight preschoolers (ages 3 to 6) during a snack period at school (training setting) and at home (generalization setting). Results showed an increase in healthy snack choices in the training setting. Generalization to home was achieved only with specific implementation procedures.…

Ten hospitalized autistic children (ages 3-5) received individually regulated dosages of fenfluramine. Decreases of aggressiveness, temper tantrums, hyperactivity, and insomnia were observed at therapeutic doses. Major untoward effects included drowsiness and lethargy. Flexible rather than fixed dosages were recommended since the range of optimal…

Adjusted delinquent adolescents (N=7) participated in a 12-session psychodramatic group therapy program which integrated behavioral-cognitive techniques. Participants and control subjects (N=10) completed pre- and post-tests measuring acting-out behavior and ego strength. Results showed that significant improvement occurred in the experimental…

Provides an overview of the theoretical and technical components of covert positive reinforcement and reviews the experimental literature to ascertain the efficacy of CPR and to evaluate the operant basis for the technique. The empirical evidence confirmed the effectiveness of CPR in modifying analogue and clinical target behaviors, but challenged…

The Adaptive Behavior Scale was used to evaluate a three-level token economy designed to modify the behavior of 42 behaviorally disturbed young adults of borderline intelligence. Following treatment large improvements occurred in those areas that were logically related to target behaviors within the token economy. Gains were maintained at…

The study found no relationship between improved social behavior in a group of juveniles residing at a county shelter care facility and decreased frequency and duration of disruptions above 85 decibels. Subjects did reduce noise levels when stereo listening was made contingent on reduced noise. (Author/DB)

Evaluated three separate versions of a self-control therapy program for depression: one with a behavioral target, one with a cognitive target, and one with a combined target. Found that all conditions improved significantly and equally on measures of both behavioral and cognitive target variables and on self-report and clinician rating scales of…

A review of the conceptual and methodological considerations in assessment and treatment of children's fears and phobias is presented. Areas discussed include the definitional problems in the field, analogue and clinical research, experimental research methods, and criteria for the evaluation of outcome in fear and phobia research. (Author/DWH)

This article examines a number of chronic disease health education studies. The authors suggest that there is a need to reevaluate the assumptions that underlie health education and a need in health education programs to study factors other than, or in addition to, behavior change as mediators of health status. (Author/CT)

Distilled versions of Beck's cognitive and Lewinsohn's behavioral treatments for depression were crossed in a 2 x 2 design that included combined and high-demand control treatments. The obtained pattern of convergent and divergent outcomes indicates considerable construct-valid strength for cognitive therapy applied to a moderately depressed…

Evaluates the efficacy of a multisystemic approach to treatment of juvenile offenders and their families. One group of delinquent adolescents received family-ecological treatment, another group of delinquent adolescents received an alternative treatment, and normal adolescents served as developmental controls. Findings support a multisystemic…

A correspondence training procedure was used to develop consistency between children's verbalizations and subsequent behavior across increasingly remote settings and time. Generalization was obtained in the absence of any salient externally imposed contingencies after Ss had reliably come under control of verbalizations about preschool behaviors.…

Nonaversive procedures (including differential reinforcement of other behaviors, differential reinforcement of low rates of responding, differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, and stimulus control) were effective in bringing target behaviors under control for five students (14-17 years old) with autism or autistic-like behavior. (CL)