Reviews the rationale for social skills training with delinquents. Describes one program that uses discussion, modeling, role-playing, positive reinforcement, and shaping. Presents four scales for behavioral assessment to access social skills, assertion/aggression, violation of minor rules and regulations, and evaluation of the program by each…

Reviews various social learning and counseling approaches utilized by psychotherapists in one-to-one clinical behavior therapy. Behavior analysis, family contracting, and social skills training are used as are other office-based clinical behavior therapy techniques to help delinquents change. (Author/LHW)

Discusses the complex ethical dilemmas in social work brought about by the availability of technology. Addresses the issues of privacy, behavior control, and health care. Considers the allocation and possible misuse of technology. (Author/ABB)

An overview of the behaviorally-oriented fear reduction methods for children is presented. Systematic desensitization and related procedures, flooding-related therapies, contingency management approaches, modeling procedures, and self-control methods are discussed after reviewing normative and prevalence data regarding children's fears. Research…

Examined effects of a cognitive-behavioral group condition, a reminiscence treatment group condition, and an activity group condition on anxiety and life satisfaction for senior citizens. No significant differences on life satisfaction and trait anxiety were found. (Author/ABL)

Effects of sensory extinction procedures on nontargeted self-stimulatory behaviors of two autistic boys (7 and 12 years old) were assessed. In Experiment 1 application of sensory extinction for target behaviors resulted in decreased topographically similar behavior, but no change in dissimilar behavior. In Experiment 2, suppression also occurred…

Explored the relationships among masculinity, femininity, and marital satisfaction, and response to behavioral marital therapy in married couples (N=126). Results indicated that for each sex, both femininity and masculinity are significantly correlated with self-reported marital satisfaction. (LLL)

A youngster who excessively watched television was placed on a modified token economy: earned tokens were used to activate the television for set periods of time. Positive effects resulted in the child's school work, in the amount of time his family spent together, and in his mother's perception of family social support. (KH)

Compared the effectiveness of booster treatments and regular contact for enhancing maintenance in headache patients previously treated by biofeedback and relaxation. Diary records and patient interviews showed no major differences between the conditions, suggesting that regular contact may be an efficient procedure for maintaining treatment gains.…

Explored the effectiveness of a very low calorie diet to induce rapid weight loss, combined with behavioral techniques to maintain this loss in 17 obese women. Results showed a substantial and sustained weight loss. Subjects did not experience increased anxiety or depression. (JAC)

Followed eight male smokers with chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease through a smoking cessation program of gradual nicotine withdrawal, self-management, and relapse prevention. At one year, half remained abstinent, while relapsers smoked substantially less than before treatment. Reductions in carbon monoxide and thiocyanate levels were…

The paper explores three reasons for low use by teachers of behavior modification: (1) differences in assumptions concerning causality, (2) attributions of responsibility, and (3) problems in modifying the working knowledge of teachers. The implications of these issues are discussed in terms of how consultants might increase the impact of…

Describes three formats of a 15-hour training program for human service practitioners, who learned to maintain older persons at home using behavioral methods. Findings revealed significantly improved knowledge of gerontological information, practice skills, and relevant behavioral principles. All three formats produced significant outcomes. (BH)

Compared the relative efficacy of externally managed and self-managed free token response-cost systems in decreasing inappropriate behavior of two learning-disabled students. Differential effects of treatment conditions were assessed using alternating treatments design. Results found both treatment conditions equally effective in decreasing…

Despite success of cognitive behavior modification (CBM) techniques in changing the behavior of learning disabled children in specific situations, little success has been achieved in changing cognitions of learning disabled children. Reasons for lack of evidence that CBM brings about cognitive change are explored. (Author/CL)