Demonstrated the effect of a contingency contracting treatment package for treating a distressed couple. A multi-method assessment package was used. The treatment package was responsible for producing behavior change and changes in levels of satisfaction. Multi-assessments provided the therapist with concrete data on a couple's progress in…

Efforts were made to facilitate career development of former drug abusers. Treatment consisted of a modified form of Daane's vocational exploration group (VEG). Subjects had significantly greater maturity of career attitudes and competencies than controls and greater clarity of career plans. Results indicate the VEG enhanced career-development…

Evaluated therapeutic effectiveness of setting goals in behavioral terms while monitoring subject's progress in attaining these goals. Greater beneficial changes in patient attainment of goals were effected using a structured patient-therapist collaboration on weekly goals. Results indicate the goal attainment model with periodic monitoring is…

Evaluated the utility and validity of self-efficacy theory and a theoretical model of relapse with (N=78) cigarette smokers. Results found efficacy state was significantly enhanced as the result of both treatment programs. (Author/RC)

College students (N=253) rated the effects they expected from drinking alcohol along various dimensions. Results showed that subjects expected moderate drinking to result in relatively greater stimulation/perceived dominance and pleasurable disinhibition, whereas for heavy drinking they expected a greater degree of behavioral impairment. (Author)

A state-of-the-art review of childhood hyperactivity, conclusions from empirical findings, and implications for clinical work are presented. Diagnosis and etiology of hyperactivity are explored with emphasis on the multivariate aspects of the disorder and the difficulty of specifying behavior which is by definition unpredictable. (PHR)

Recent evidence indicates that marijuana is more harmful than had previously been suspected. A review of research in the following areas is presented: tolerance and persistence, reproductive system, respiratory system, immune system, central nervous system, genetic and chromosomal effects, and behavioral effects. (Author)

The author reviews recent literature dealing with teaching autistic children acceptable behaviors. Using E. Ornitz and E. Ritvo's description of autism, teaching procedures to overcome weaknesses in perceptual difficulties, bizarre movement, and problems in relating are discussed. (CL)

Suggests that (1) parents and peers influence adolescents through the expression of normative standards or the modeling of behaviors; (2) adolescents respond to such pressure directly or by internalizing norms or preferences for conduct; and (3) pressures, norms, and preferences have different effects on adolescent behavior, depending on the topic…

The author reviews some of the literature on the causes, extent, and prevention of violence and vandalism in the schools. Two programs designed to incorporate preventive mental health into the schools--Model Me, and Magic Circle--are discussed. (KC)

Four experimental Ss (9 to 14 years) were taught through self-instruction to focus attention and cope with math and printing tasks, then were systematically and sequentially exposed to photo slides of distracting situations, to audio distractors, and to in vivo distractors. Results suggested that the training package produced changes in self…

A differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure employed alone, and then in combination with restitution and positive practice, did not produce clinically significant changes in the rate of disrobing. Subsequently, the use of DRO plus restitution and negative practice reduced frequency of disrobing to either zero or one episode per…

A factor-analytic study of the relationship of vocational client change to nonvocational client change is presented. Previous research findings indicating the independence of these two dimensions are supported. An explanation to account for this result is offered. (Author/BEF)

Children seen by trained aides showed significantly greater reductions both in acting out problems and in overall maladjustment than did similar children seen by comparable aides who did not have additional training, or by themselves before training. (Author)

Determines the relationship between teaching experience and attitude toward behaviorally stated objectives. The instrument used to test attitudes regarding behaviorally stated objectives was the Instructional Objectives Preference List (IOPL). Results indicated there is a continuous decrease in attitude change as number of years of teaching…