Presented are nine short papers concerning teacher role in effecting behavioral modification in the mentally handicapped student. The paper on functional analysis of behavior discusses use of reinforcers, changing reinforcer strength, reinforcement schedules, and discriminative stimuli. A continuation paper on functional analysis of behavior…

Through written instructions and verbal feedback, the mother of a 24-year-old profoundly retarded aggressive woman was trained to apply a positive reinforcement and timeout program. (CL)

A selective review of behavior modification programs, which emphasized procedures for programing transfer of training and response maintenance in handicapped students, was undertaken. (Author)

The study examined the extent to which momentary DRO (differential reinforcement of other behavior) maintained suppression (following initial treatment with whole-interval DRO) of the maladaptive behavior of nine severely multihandicapped elementary aged students. Results indicated that momentary DRO maintained response suppression comparable to…

Described is an educational program to serve a heterogeneous population of mentally retarded children excluded from other treatment programs. (Author/MC)

Describes operant conditioning as an effective means of modifying behavior of children in typical classes. Emphasizes effective operant procedures as having a contingency between child's response and teacher's reward. Reviews relevant literature. Suggests only tentative evidence from the present review supports the contingency of response and…

A severely disabled and retarded 15-year-old girl was examined for: effect of music and approval as reinforcers for following a command; effect of a food-pairing procedure on an approval alone condition, an approval plus music condition, and an ignore condition; durability of newly conditioned reinforcers; and strength of the new reinforcers as…

Examines the relationship between learning and development in the most general terms, discusses the developmental distinction between concrete and formal operational thought as manifested in adult behavior, and considers the implications of the concrete-formal dichotomy for the design and use of job aids. Notes and a bibliography are provided.…

Operant and cognitive behavior modification procedures were used to decrease impulsive aggressive responding by six hyperaggressive children, aged 7-11, in interpersonal problem situations. The procedures sought to improve participants' alternative response repertoires and develop internal speech as a self-control mechanism. Compared to controls,…

Two boys, ages 7 and 9, with severe developmental disabilities were taught to use requests conditionally (when desired items were proximally distant) to obtain desired snack items. Results suggest that the conditioned discriminations were established quickly and both learners generalized their conditional discriminations to other contexts.…

Many instructors have expressed a recent interest in incorporating service-learning activities into their courses. Several authors have maintained that service-learning opportunities help students to better understand class concepts and also lead to desirable outcomes in students, such as enhanced self esteem and an increased interest in social…

Discussed from a behavioral perspective are theoretical approaches and recent educational and research developments in the field of childhood autism. (CL)