Adjusted delinquent adolescents (N=7) participated in a 12-session psychodramatic group therapy program which integrated behavioral-cognitive techniques. Participants and control subjects (N=10) completed pre- and post-tests measuring acting-out behavior and ego strength. Results showed that significant improvement occurred in the experimental…

Provides an overview of the theoretical and technical components of covert positive reinforcement and reviews the experimental literature to ascertain the efficacy of CPR and to evaluate the operant basis for the technique. The empirical evidence confirmed the effectiveness of CPR in modifying analogue and clinical target behaviors, but challenged…

The Adaptive Behavior Scale was used to evaluate a three-level token economy designed to modify the behavior of 42 behaviorally disturbed young adults of borderline intelligence. Following treatment large improvements occurred in those areas that were logically related to target behaviors within the token economy. Gains were maintained at…

The study found no relationship between improved social behavior in a group of juveniles residing at a county shelter care facility and decreased frequency and duration of disruptions above 85 decibels. Subjects did reduce noise levels when stereo listening was made contingent on reduced noise. (Author/DB)

Evaluated three separate versions of a self-control therapy program for depression: one with a behavioral target, one with a cognitive target, and one with a combined target. Found that all conditions improved significantly and equally on measures of both behavioral and cognitive target variables and on self-report and clinician rating scales of…

A review of the conceptual and methodological considerations in assessment and treatment of children's fears and phobias is presented. Areas discussed include the definitional problems in the field, analogue and clinical research, experimental research methods, and criteria for the evaluation of outcome in fear and phobia research. (Author/DWH)

This article examines a number of chronic disease health education studies. The authors suggest that there is a need to reevaluate the assumptions that underlie health education and a need in health education programs to study factors other than, or in addition to, behavior change as mediators of health status. (Author/CT)

Distilled versions of Beck's cognitive and Lewinsohn's behavioral treatments for depression were crossed in a 2 x 2 design that included combined and high-demand control treatments. The obtained pattern of convergent and divergent outcomes indicates considerable construct-valid strength for cognitive therapy applied to a moderately depressed…

Evaluates the efficacy of a multisystemic approach to treatment of juvenile offenders and their families. One group of delinquent adolescents received family-ecological treatment, another group of delinquent adolescents received an alternative treatment, and normal adolescents served as developmental controls. Findings support a multisystemic…

A correspondence training procedure was used to develop consistency between children's verbalizations and subsequent behavior across increasingly remote settings and time. Generalization was obtained in the absence of any salient externally imposed contingencies after Ss had reliably come under control of verbalizations about preschool behaviors.…

Nonaversive procedures (including differential reinforcement of other behaviors, differential reinforcement of low rates of responding, differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, and stimulus control) were effective in bringing target behaviors under control for five students (14-17 years old) with autism or autistic-like behavior. (CL)

A survey of 190 public and community residential facilities indicate that staff in community and public residential facilities must be prepared to deal with maladaptive behavior, that behaviorally oriented response strategies appear to be most effective, and that there is a need for greater attention to training direct-care residential staff in…

The increase in health problems that are related to emotional and behavioral factors accentuate the need for a counseling approach in health education practices. Counseling competency and goals are discussed. (MT)

Evaluated the effectiveness of a multicomponent program designed to enhance the maintenance of weight loss in moderately obese clients (N=43). Results of 15- and 21-month follow-up assessments revealed that the multicomponent program significantly enhanced the maintenance of weight loss. (LLL)

A retrospective analysis of the progress of eight institutionalized subjects who had been successfully treated in overcorrection procedures 10 years earlier revealed that maladaptive behaviors of the highest functioning individuals showed the longest term and best suppression, and that staff tend to return to the status quo after the expert…