The concept of self-control is analyzed in terms of a two-stage process: general cognitive set and specific self-controlling responses. Primary attention is given to incorporation of the cognitive set into a fuller understanding of behavior modification. (Author)

A description of a mediational model to explain the effectiveness of desensitization and a discussion of the available corroborative research findings for this alternative explanation are given. Also, specific procedural modifications for systematic desensitization are suggested. (Author)

Choices between an immediate reward and a delayed reward of higher value were presented to 66 children three, four, and five years of age who had been randomly assigned to short or long conditions of delay. Regardless of age, children did not choose the delayed reward. (Author/MP)

The influence of two parameters of self-initiated time-out from speaking were investigated with 33 adolescent and adult stutterers. When given the opportunity to determine time-out duration, subjects chose a relatively brief period. Significant improvements in fluency were observed during all three time-out conditions. (Author/SEW)

Three learning disabled 10- to 11-year-old boys with severe attentional problems were taught to self-monitor their on-task behavior while participating in oral reading tasks. Results indicate that self-monitoring procedures can be effectively employed during oral, small-group instruction and that positive behavioral changes can be maintained.…

Tested hypotheses that interpretations increase clients' motivation to change and that interpretations identifying causal factors clients can directly control lead to greater client change than interpretations identifying causes clients cannot directly control. Students experiencing problems with procrastination participated. Results generally…

A token reinforcement program at a residential center operates on a point card system which measures daily work quality and attitude, academic involvement, self-maintenance, peer and adult interactions, and self-control in behavior disordered children. Issues in the program's administration, including unresponsiveness and use of daily feedback,…

Two studies investigated the effects of altruistic outcomes on self-control in a modified delay-of-gratification paradigm. Subjects were 120 preschool children in the first study and 34 preschoolers in the second. (Author/CM)

Using speech anxiety as the target behavior, this study compared two self-control desensitization procedures. Speech-anxious community residents (N=42) volunteered for participation in the program and were seen within a group context for a total of seven therapy sessions. No differential effectiveness was found between the two desensitization…

Describes a therapy session with a father and son which began with a game of war and ended with a tea party. Discusses the session in terms of a transformation of angry behavior to responsible and sharing behavior. (RJC)

Discusses interpretations of a key Nietzschean concept, "Selbstuberwindung," translated as "self-overcoming," which challenges the concept of "self-mastery" or "self-control" found in traditional educational thought. Also discussed is Nietzsche's construction of images of self-overcoming individuals,…

Three experiments explored determinants of two-year olds' perseverative errors in a search task. Found that active search, even in the absence of observation, produced perseveration on post-switch trails, but mere observation did not. Results indicated that active search is required to elicit perseveration, which points to failures of response…