The major objectives of this study were: (1) to determine if there were measurable differences in autonomy between Mexican-American and Negro children, (2) to determine the effects of three different preschool intervention programs upon the development of autonomy in Mexican-American and Negro children, and (3) to determine the relationship…

Operation Pathfinder was a special manpower project designed to retrain behaviors of the disadvantaged and to establish positive motivations to work for a living through application of social reinforcement methodology. The project demonstrated that a positive reinforcing environment and properly structured work situation will provide a means of…

This handbook provides a general introduction for the rater technician which includes information on working with the more severely mentally retarded and the purpose of the Balthazar Scales of Adaptive Behavior (BSAB). Technician qualifications, methodology, and general rating procedures are also discussed. The use of pre-base-line, base-line, and…

Conflicting evidence as to the presence or absence of generalization in classroom behavior modification programs prompted this study of the conditions of generalization. During the experiment, behaviors operationally defined as competitive or cooperative were reinforced in certain game situations. Then the generalization of this training over…

This is a report on the application of operant condition methods to classroom discipline problems. The setting was Clara Tagg Brewer Elementary School in CLEVELAND, Ohio. The school is located in a community consisting mostly of lower-middle class black families. A few children come from a "run down" section of the community, including…

Research investigating the performance of students enrolled in courses taught by a Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) has tended to support the claim that PSI is a superior teaching method. The present research study isolated the self-pacing aspect of PSI courses and attempted to teach 13 academically deficient first year college students…

The article reviews 36 studies conducted since 1967 which evaluated operant conditioning techniques to develop and improve self-help skills of mentally retarded persons. (Author)

Clinical approaches to encouraging spontaneous talking in language delayed children are considered in terms of pragmatics, the effects of communication on behavior. (Author/IM)

Describes the Professional Improvement Commitment, a written agreement developed between teacher and evaluator/supervisor at the end of a supervision/evaluation cycle, designed to increase teacher effectiveness. (MM)

School psychologists, administrators, teachers, and specialists in special education settings ranked the restrictiveness of 13 procedures (such as planned ignoring, response prevention, time-out) designed to decrease inappropriate behaviors. Although general agreement was indicated by the 118 respondents, variability was noteworthy, especially in…

Examines the effects of three self-pacing procedures on student withdrawal rate, rate of progress, final examination performance, and attitude in a personalized system of instruction for undergraduate students in an introductory speech course. Benefits of reducing student procrastination are discussed in light of the study's results. (Author/MBR)

Special education is undergoing considerable change in the use of categorical or diagnostic lables for handicapped children. Much of the impetus has come from the widespread use of behavioristic approaches in education. Three examples of the new orientation are discussed: a noncategorical reconceptualization and two operational noncategorical…

The purpose of the research study was to investigate the leisure behavior, social avoidance and distress, social self-efficacy, life satisfaction, global function, and negative symptoms of 26 individuals with chronic mental illnesses who reside in group homes. The study used a treatment group and a control group design to evaluate the…

Noting that raising well-behaved, considerate children requires learning how to balance firm discipline with equal doses of love and humor, this book provides parents with effective and realistic solutions to countless parenting challenges. The strategies are organized into the following categories: (1) "Avoid Power Struggles"; (2) "Minimize Daily…

Kentucky's Jefferson County Public Schools evaluated their Positive Outreach Program (POP), which was designed to help elementary students with emotional, behavioral, or social problems overcome their problems and succeed in school. POP focuses on creating and enhancing positive skills, relationships, and environmental contexts. It includes…