Assessed efficacy of behavior rehearsal procedures in assertion training. Results indicated that nonassertive subjects responded less assertively in behavior role play tests, and reported themselves more anxious than assertive subjects. The role-reversal group was least effective in modifying self-reports of assertion behaviors.…

Investigated the role of sensory reinforcement in motivation of rituals. Assessed the effect of sensory extinction for two children. Results showed light-switching rituals decreased when a certain sensory consequence was removed, then increased when that consequence was reintroduced. Different sensory consequences were functional for the children.…

Fifteen fifth graders in a dilemma discussion group which viewed films that sought answers to dilemmas and then discussed possible solutions were subsequently found to be more generous (altruistic) than their control group counterparts. Implications for educators, psychologists, and researchers are discussed. (NEC)

An illustrative selection of measures appropriate for use in evaluation of cognitive-behavioral interventions designed to improve adjustment is reviewed in terms of specifying level and impact level assessments. The need to consider factors operative within the school situation is also discussed. (Author/GK)

Evaluated the use of a Multimodal Behavior Therapy (MBT) orientation in group counseling of aged subjects. MBT techniques centered on identifying problems of group members and defining how the problem affected the person. Results indicated that group-counseled aged subjects showed a significant reduction in reported problems. Includes…

Three group-oriented contingency systems (interdependent, dependent, and independent) were compared to evaluate each system's effectiveness in controlling the disruptive behavior of a self-contained classroom of 12 educable mentally retarded elementary-aged children. Interdependent and dependent group contingency systems were more effective than…

This report describes the introductory psychology demonstration showing conditioned taste aversion in rats based on those animals' inability to distinguish between safe NaCl and toxic LiCl solutions. Test results showed the established phenomena of classical conditioning. Included is a discussion of the experiments relevance to behaviorist…

A model for school psychologists is presented for conceptualizing and intervening in parent-handicapped child relations. Proposals are made for applying this perspective in conducting efficient and potentially useful assessment and intervention procedures. (Author/RL)

Compared smoking treatment programs using negative (recording number of cigarettes smoked) v positive (recording number of urges resisted) self-monitoring. Subjects demonstrated significant reduction in smoking frequency compared with no treatment. Findings were maintained at follow-up. Findings question the positive and negative labels used to…

Women, self-referred for dental anxiety, were given four weeks of cue-controlled relaxation treatment. Nonorthogonal planned comparisons indicated significant decreases on dental anxiety, anxiety differential, and state anxiety scales, and systolic blood pressure. Participants reported that treatment was helpful in controlling anxiety when…

In comprehensive wieght loss program, overweight women exposed to instruction in self-standard setting and to situational management techniques lost more weight than those instructed only in situational management techniques. Findings illustrate facilitative effect of teaching individuals to set specific, objective, and realistic goals for eating…

Stress-related disorders account for many of today's illnesses and disabilities. People with disabilities are confronted with many additional potentially stressful situations not experienced by the nondisabled population. Rehabilitation practitioners need to teach relaxation skills to their disabled clients as part of the rehabilitation process.…

A clock-light cuing device was successfully used in classrooms to control disruptive student behavior. Students were made aware of inappropriate behavior (which caused the light to be turned off) and of the time lost until the behavior was verbally identified and corrected. An accumulation of a specified amount of time in which the light was on…

A profoundly retarded adult was taught to open doors having a standard rotary door knob through prompting and fading techniques in a backward chaining sequence. (CL)

The study evaluated the effects of a fine mist of water applied to the face contingent upon self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhibited by profoundly retarded persons. Results indicated that the water mist procedure may be an effective alternative to traditional punishment techniques. (Author)