Compared the effectiveness of behavioral (BT) or physical therapy (PT) for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP), for 13 BT patients and 12 PT patients. Treatments were conducted in a group outpatient setting. Posttreatment results showed general improvement for patients in both groups, but few treatment-specific differences in outcome measures.…

Evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) in aiding distressed couples (N=30) and explored the relative effectiveness of cotherapists versus single therapist. Results affirmed the overall effectiveness of BMT. A cotherapy team and a single therapist were equally effective. No differences were found between immediate therapy…

A rationale is presented for using a coping-skills training approach with college students who face important environmental demands. Two case examples of college students suffering from test anxiety illustrate the effectiveness of brief therapy approaches in teaching coping skills. (Author/CJ)

A review of traditional (such as psychotherapy) and behavioral approaches (such as self-monitoring and reinforcement) to obesity treatment of mentally retarded students led to the conclusion that the behavioral orientation was more successful. Implications for initiating such programs include thorough training, voluntary participation, and parent…

The author answers Jere E. Brophy's criticisms of a previous paper on the usefulness of behavior analysis for improving classroom teaching and learning. Briefly discusses the issues of control of student behavior, individual versus group learning, and behavior analysis versus traditional classroom management methods. (Author/MJL)

Studies dealing with toilet training of severely/profoundly retarded persons are reviewed since the systematic operant approach of N. Azrin and R. Foxx in 1971. Replications are said to be few in number and equivocal in results, although modifications with retarded and nonretarded populations have produced informative and innovative approaches.…

Twenty-nine food service employers were provided with a behavioral description of either a handicapped or nonhandicapped worker and asked to state their acceptance of select training procedures. Results indicated employers differentially accepted the use of some training procedures based upon worker description. (Author/SB)

Evaluated the effects of overt rehearsal and homework practice on covert modeling treatment of social skills. Nonassertive clients (N=79) received a combination of overt rehearsal and homework practice. Clients who engaged in homework practice and/or overt rehearsal of assertive behavior within the treatment sessions made consistently greater…

One of the competencies needed by teachers working with mainstreamed handicapped students is behavior management. The inservice system offers excellent opportunities for providing teachers with continued updating of their professional skills. (JN)

Procedures consisted of delivering an edible treat to Ss if they failed to exhibit specified problem behaviors during selected time frames. Results provided support for the efficacy of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) in reducing management problems of mentally retarded children. (Author/SB)

Ascertained whether diagnostic feedback had a positive influence on treatment outcome. Snake-fearful females took psychological tests and were randomly assigned to treatment conditions. The greatest therapeutic improvement resulted for the enhanced-personality-feedback-with-treatment group as compared to the treatment-only group. The…

Assessed efficacy of behavior rehearsal procedures in assertion training. Results indicated that nonassertive subjects responded less assertively in behavior role play tests, and reported themselves more anxious than assertive subjects. The role-reversal group was least effective in modifying self-reports of assertion behaviors.…

Investigated the role of sensory reinforcement in motivation of rituals. Assessed the effect of sensory extinction for two children. Results showed light-switching rituals decreased when a certain sensory consequence was removed, then increased when that consequence was reintroduced. Different sensory consequences were functional for the children.…

Fifteen fifth graders in a dilemma discussion group which viewed films that sought answers to dilemmas and then discussed possible solutions were subsequently found to be more generous (altruistic) than their control group counterparts. Implications for educators, psychologists, and researchers are discussed. (NEC)

An illustrative selection of measures appropriate for use in evaluation of cognitive-behavioral interventions designed to improve adjustment is reviewed in terms of specifying level and impact level assessments. The need to consider factors operative within the school situation is also discussed. (Author/GK)