Reviews behavioral and psychological concepts currently applied to the assessment and treatment of chronic pain syndromes, including operant conditioning and psychophysiologic concepts such as the stress-pain hypothesis, the pain-muscle spasm-pain cycle, and the neuromuscular pain model. Discusses relaxation and biofeedback training and concepts…

The effects of reducing the number of daily social studies homework questions to reward lower rates of inappropriate classroom behavior was investigated with 19 mildly handicapped junior high students and their two teachers. The intervention resulted in significant decreases in inappropriate behavior with no changes in homework accuracy or…

An interdependent group-managed response-cost system mediated by free tokens was employed to decrease inappropriate verbalizations of two groups of elementary-level learning disabled children (N=9). Results indicated that this contingency system was a viable and effective method of decreasing inappropriate behavior. Peer pressure was credited for…

Describes new intervention strategies used to address the career problems of adult clients who generally have less freedom than younger clients and who have a need for quick solutions. (CH)

Evaluated the effects of cognitive-behavioral problem-solving skills training (PSST) and nondirective relationship therapy (RT) for the treatment of antisocial child behavior. Revealed that a significantly higher proportion of PSST children, compared with those in other conditions, fell within the normative range for prosocial behavior at…

Six hospitalized mentally retarded-behaviorally disordered children were instructed in three feeding skills through praise, time-out, and behavioral rehearsal. Results indicated positive behavior change in training sessions and in immediately succeeding sessions during which training was withheld. (Author/CL)

The synthesis of 35 single-subject nonaversive treatments of classroom behavior problems indicated that reinforcement and feedback are highly effective as a remedy across a variety of behaviors, settings, and administrative arrangements. (Author/DB)

Compared an affective (Gestalt two-chair intervention) and a cognitive-behavioral (problem-solving) counseling intervention used to help clients resolve intrapersonal conflicts related to a decision. A one-way analysis of variance revealed that affective intervention was more effective than cognitive behavioral intervention or no treatment for…

The study evaluated a commonly used component of brief time-out, in which release from time-out is delayed contingent on the occurrence of the disruption. Data were collected for one normal and two mentally retarded children on time-out producing behaviors and delay-producing behaviors during time-out. (Author/CL)

Little empirical information exists on the therapeutic needs of families with diverse backgrounds and those facing interpersonal and intrafamilial conflicts. Some therapeutic techniques (described herein) include adjunctive or alternative treatment strategies that encompass the specific needs and characteristic make-up of a family, but more…

Investigates the cumulative effect of repeated exposure of schoolchildren to antisocial models. Research results highlight the need to minimize models of misbehavior in the classroom and for teachers to manage the class in order to produce maximum exposure to good behavior models. (Author/CT)

Presents a cognitive-behavioral approach to group treatment of adolescents. Discusses diagnosis, treatment stages, characteristics of a cognitive-behavioral group, and the role of the therapist. Describes four advantages to this type of group therapy. (JAC)

Describes three programs implemented in the Providence, Rhode Island, elementary schools to improve students' self-image. These include a guidance/puppetry program, student of the week awards, and a behavioral management system. (JAC)

Addresses the practical validity of self-instruction training as an intervention for severely disabled children. Three issues are examined: (1) the development of verbal strategies adaptable to children with knowledge deficits, (2) the effects of generalization training, and (3) the role of self-talk (verbalization) in self-instruction. Four…

Five adolescents with moderate to severe mental retardation, including one with hearing impairments and blindness, were taught 12 associated work skills through an approach featuring reinforcement for desirable behavior and negative consequences and cueing for undesirable behavior. (CL)