The synthesis of 18 single subject research studies on early intervention for socially withdrawn children indicated that reinforcement and measurement of targeted socially interactive behaviors showed the largest effects, with some treatment (such as unreinforced modeling of behavior) showing little effect. There was little evidence for skill…

Investigated stimulus context (therapy session versus therapy description) and stimulus medium (audiovisual versus written) in preferences for the behavioral and person-centered orientations. Behavioral orientation was preferred when both orientations were presented audiovisually as a therapy session. Conversely, the person-centered orientation…

Five ways of preventing behavior problems in children with learning disabilities are described: (1) consider the classroom environment; (2) develop effective methods for managing behavior, including a workable set of classroom rules; (3) use scheduling to prevent behavior problems; (4) use lesson planning as a behavior management tool; and (5)…

Meta-analysis of the effects of 11 types of psychologically based organizational interventions showed that such programs raise worker productivity. The strength of effects vary by type of intervention, criterion of productivity, contextual factors in organizations, and features of research design. Also discussed are comparisons of conclusions…

Two adolescents with severe disabilities were successfully taught pictorial communication skills using an interrupted behavior sequence strategy. The independent variable involved insertion of a typical operant instructional trial for teaching communication skills into the midst of ongoing predictable sequences of behaviors, rather than at the…

Investigated the effectiveness of a litter reduction program, consisting of group assignment of responsibility and a token reward system, on weekend litter rates in college residence halls. Results indicated procedure was completely effective, with litter reduced to zero in all settings. (BL)

Presents a case study involving the use of self-instructional training with an adolescent schizophrenic boy. Changes initiated in his internal and external dialog with himself improved his self-control and task performance. (JAC)

Empirically observes psychotherapeutic content themes in two distinct group psychotherapies (cognitive treatment following Beck's theory and behavioral treatment following Lewinsohn's model) conducted with 16 Puerto Rican women. Reveals no significant differences in findings between treatment groups. Discusses content themes in context of Puerto…

The Minnesota Heart Health Program is described as an example of a health promotion program partially implemented through the schools. The potential roles for the school psychologist in designing and initiating health consultation programs are addressed at several levels from individual consultation with students to multi-staged intervention…

Describes a nontraditional approach to college drug education that attempts to make the cognitive domain relevant to the student through the use of negotiated learning contracts. Includes the affective and psychomotor domains with activities in drug behavior modification, self-concept awareness, stress management, and nondrug highs. (Author/LLL)

The article reviews the evolution of socio-political attitudes toward developmentally disabled and other handicapped children in Italy and analyzes the current role of behavior modification in rehabilitation efforts in that country. (CL)

Three topics are discussed: (1) history and legal structure of the care system, (2) conflicting approaches pertaining to education and training, and (3) training and research efforts in the field. It is concluded that the implementation of behavior modification in residential facilities for the developmentally disabled is still a difficult process…

Hearing impaired students who display inappropriate negative responses to everyday classroom events can be helped through four techniques: (1) counter-conditioning, (2) vicarious learning, (3) systematic desensitization, and (4) progressive muscle relaxation. (CL)

Playful wrestling, splashing, fidgeting, chair-tilting, and a number of other behaviors by children often result in injuries, tantrums, or conflicts in families. Exact limits can be established in these instances with an intervention which integrates strategic, structural, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Two case examples are presented and…

Examines change as a three-step procedure involving the phases of unfreezing (the movement from a steady state to a state that is unstable and amenable to change), moving toward the new level, and refreezing when the new feelings and responses, which have become comfortable for the client, are confirmed or reinforced by others. (CT)