Demonstrates the utility of a behavioral method for classifying cotherapists in terms of similarity and consistency and examines the relationships among cotherapists' similarity and consistency of focal interventions, amount and type of work that group therapy patients performed, and treatment outcome. (Author)

Three behavioral approaches to the management of behavior problems in the classroom are discussed. (PHR)

Urges community psychologists to act as behavioral ecological matchmakers--a role entailing identifying individuals or groups desiring behavioral change and linking the target participants with networks of settings analyzed previously as facilitating the specified changes. (Author/DB)

Argues that behavior therapists are really ethical relativists and sometimes ethical skeptics. Ethical naturalism found in operant behavior therapy does entail ethical relativism. Other authors respond to these views. (Author)

Meaningful smoking reduction was maintained at follow-up, suggesting the relative efficacy of experiencing one of three maintenance strategies employed. Superior maintenance of smoking reduction was demonstrated by the self-monitoring group relative to the modeling and participant observing groups of the original sample. (Author/BEF)

Initial weight-loss success was correlated with two severity variables. Persons reporting frequent binge eating and histories of previous dieting weight loss lost the most weight. Persons who were successful at maintenance used frequent exercise. Those who relapsed reported high levels of stress during follow-up. (Author)

After viewing tapes of two simulated vocational-educational counseling sessions, one using a behavioral and the other a client-centered approach, college students were asked which counseling style they preferred. Both males and females preferred the behavioral approach, apparently for the "structure" it offers. (SJL)

Subjects were 27 married couples. The purposes of this study were: (a) to implement an interpersonal-skills training paradigm for training married individuals to exhibit increased self-disclosive behavior in their marital relationships; and (b) to determine the efficacy of experiential and modeling procedures in such training. (Author)

A study of 2 boys (ages 11 and 16) with mental retardation and destructive behaviors investigated whether alternative stimuli identified through a choice assessment would substitute for attention in a noncontingent reinforcement procedure. Both continuous noncontingent access to attention and to the identified tangible item reduced destructive…

Explores whether a client's preference for a certain therapy effects treatment efficacy. Treatment of 64 agoraphobic patients with either exposure in vivo or exposure combined with hypnosis show that, although patients' preference clearly shifted in favor of a combined therapy approach, no effect of preference on outcome was evident. (RJM)

Compares the effectiveness of maternal punishment (time out, spanking), reasoning, and a combination of the two. Results based on mothers' (N=40) structured diaries of toddler fighting and disobedience indicate that mild punishment, combined with reasoning, is an effective discipline response to toddler misbehavior in terms of recurrence of…

An Australian study implemented social skill and cooperative learning activities with 26 10- and 12-year olds. Case studies of six of the children after 10 weeks indicated that students became more socially aware and more skilled, as demonstrated by collaboration and on-task behavior. (JOW)

The efficacy of different schedules of reinforcement (progressive and fixed) for promoting and sustaining cigarette abstinence was compared using 60 cigarette smokers. Results found that the progressive and fixed groups achieved greater levels of abstinence than controls and that the progressive group was less likely to resume smoking. (Author/CR)

Four children (ages 2-12) with developmental disabilities and sleep disorders were provided with a consistent bedtime routine combined with a graduated extinction procedure for nighttime behavior problems. Treatment resulted in decreases in night wakings and disturbances, indicating the effectiveness of relatively simple behavioral interventions.…

A total of 179 intervention research studies published from 1988-92 on the remediation of challenging behavior of persons with developmental disabilities was reviewed for adherence to certain standards of practice. Results indicate meaningful improvements in the state of intervention literature. Areas of progress are noted and continuing deficits…