Using Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance as a model, this study attempted to change the attitude and behavior of children toward well liked toys. The results offer only limited support for the theory. The subjects in the three groups did play a significantly different amount of time in the two play periods. The t-tests indicated it was the…

The hypothesis of this study was that a behavioral, activity oriented approach to group meetings would produce a greater change in maternal child rearing practices than one utilizing a lecture, question and answer paradigm. A total of 65 women whose children were in an early education program, were divided into two experimental groups and a…

This study describes a current attempt to design a comprehensive guidance system which will be an integral part of a program of individualized education and which serves the needs of all students at each academic level. Preliminary investigation has led to tentative specification of 12 components comprising the guidance system, five involving…

The role proposed for the consultant is one of creating need and demonstrating that educational progress can be made by systematic and well managed approaches. The extent to which the project consultant is able to establish the same basic helping relationship with project staff members as he desires the staff to have with the clientele, will…

The premise, that cigarette smoking is hazardous to health, is the basis of this study. The purpose of the study was to cause a shift in behavior from the "presmoker" or "smoking experimenter" toward the "nonsmoker" rather than the smoker. The general concept, the cigarette smoking habit is a health hazard of sufficient importance for youth to…

A token reinforcement system was introduced into a second grade classroom, and seven (out of 21) class members and the teacher were observed for 8 months. Each of the eight phases of the study lasted from 2 to 5 weeks. The first four phases established a base period and determined the separate effects of classroom rules, half hour academic…

This study investigates the effects of teaching decision-making skills on the classroom behavior of middle school problem students. Small groups of students met for 15 weeks with a counselor who adapted the "Deciding" program (College Entrance Examination Board) as the decision-making paradigm. Coppersmith's Self-Esteem Index and…

The manual describes specific procedures by which an educational consultant can train classroom teachers and other social agents how to increase the social and academic performance of acting-out children in first and second grades. The intervention procedures require 30 days to implement and to train teachers to regulate their attention so as to…

The objectives of this program are to develop, field test, and evaluate a K-12 curriculum containing learner objectives of the following types: (1) increased student knowledge of probable effects resulting from the use, misuse, and abuse of drug substances including alcohol and nicotine; (2) increased student understanding of human behavior; and…

This publication describes a year-round program for emotionally disturbed girls between the ages of 10 and 15. The program, which is geared to delinquency prevention, does not accept "hard-core" delinquents. It revolves about a 26-day camping trip on which participants face up to wilderness situations that require them to accept responsibility for…

Described are the curriculum, behavioral modification program, summer activities, and parent involvement in the Papillion (Nebraska) Title III elementary level "engineered classroom" program for emotionally disturbed students. Noted is program initiation after parents and teachers became upset over poor academic progress and behaviors of…

This paper presents a rationale for family involvement in the drug rehabilitation effort. This is based on the significant role the family plays during the process of overcoming the impact of disability. The perspective of this paper is a result of the author's experience over a three-year period with families of drug abusers and their attempts to…

Twenty-eight families who indicated an interest in learning child management skills were included in a training program involving four groups from three elementary schools in Lincoln, Nebraska. Sessions were held once a week for 7-12 weeks. The parents were taught child management skills through the use of operant techniques which they utilized in…

The general purpose of the research at Sumner High School was to apply reinforcement contingencies to the academic behaviors of underachieving students who have college potential, and to evaluate the results of the reinforcement contingencies. The specific aim was to improve academic achievement in these youth and to motivate them to qualify for…

The study of interpersonal behavior can be of most benefit to the student if he is allowed to assist in the construction of individualized behavioral objectives. To implement this approach the student must first identify what he perceives to be his communication strengths and weaknesses. Next, the student identifies his goal in the form of…