This study, an approach to controlling "acting-out" behaviors of handicapped children in elementary schools, describes the use of a home-based dependent group contingency to eliminate the destructive behavior (fire-setting, vandalizing property) of a mildly retarded eight-year-old boy. (Author/PN)

Criticizes the operant approach to the study of life span development from a theoretical behaviorism view. It is argued that the operant approach is too limited in its scope to enhance significantly the conceptualization and understanding of life span development. (Author/DB)

Examines four traditional explanatory models for the influence of parents on children's self-esteem. These models are directiveness, modeling, reward and punishment, and positive family interaction. (Author/DB)

This overview reviews a program of interlinked cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations of the nature of cognitive development in infants and young children with Down's Syndrome. The research falls into three groupings: object concept studies, operant learning experiments, and IQ studies. Early results suggest a common learning style which…

This paper defines precision teaching; describes its monitoring methods by displaying a standard celeration chart and explaining charting conventions; points out precision teaching's roots in laboratory free-operant conditioning; discusses its learning tactics and performance principles; and describes its effectiveness in producing learning gains.…

Reinforcers lose their effectiveness when they are presented repeatedly. Early researchers labeled this loss of effectiveness as "satiation" without conducting an experimental analysis. When such an analysis is conducted, "habituation" provides a more precise and empirically accurate label for the changes in reinforcer effectiveness. This paper…

Prior to treatment, a nonverbal, 8-year-old severly retarded child was confined in an enclosed crib 17 hours a day to prevent hazardous voluntary falling. (Author)

In this practicum, a plan to establish consistency in classroom management was implemented in order to enhance the positive behaviors of preschool and kindergarten children. Participating in the project were 7 classrooms serving 149 preschool and kindergarten children. A total of 14 staff members received inservice training in operant conditioning…

The author discusses some of the limitations of the use of sheltered workshops and behavior modification in vocational rehabilitation for the handicapped and promotes the possibility of on-the-job training as an alternative to sheltered workshops. (EA)

A study to evaluate a developmental/behavioral approach to the treatment of autistic children 5 to 11 years of age is described in detail, with particular reference to the advantaged of using parents as therapists and of basing treatment on the home rather than on the clinic. (Author