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Educational Psychology

Western Michigan University

Theses/Dissertations

1981

Articles 1 - 11 of 11

Full-Text Articles in Education

Schedule Effects And Interim Activities In Two Retarded Subjects, Raymond G. Miltenberger Dec 1981

Schedule Effects And Interim Activities In Two Retarded Subjects, Raymond G. Miltenberger

Masters Theses

Fixed interval (FI), fixed time (FT), and fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement were implemented with two retarded subjects and the effects on operant responding and interim activities were evaluated. One subject responded under FI 1 min, multiple FI 1 min, and multiple FI 1 min extinction schedules. Three interim activities were observed to occur under each schedule. The second subject responded under FI 1 min, FI 3 min, FR 20, FR 25, FR 35, multimple FR 35, FT 1 min, and multiple FR 35 extinction schedules. Two interim activities occured, primarily in the FI and FR schedules. Both subjects' …


The Design And Development Of An Instructional Package On How To Locate Information In A Textbook, Steven P. Ragotzy Dec 1981

The Design And Development Of An Instructional Package On How To Locate Information In A Textbook, Steven P. Ragotzy

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to design, develop and test the effectiveness of an instructional package on how to locate information in a textbook. The package contained worksheet activities on the use of the table of contents, index, and headings and sub-headings of a book. After the package was developed, its effectiveness on students' academic performance was assessed. The students' performance was assessed in two different ways — sample questions, or probes at different points of the program and classroom quiz results. The first experiment showed that the package was effective in teaching the skills of using the table …


The Resistance To Temptation Paradigm With Modeling - A Review, Lorre Patricia Berger Aug 1981

The Resistance To Temptation Paradigm With Modeling - A Review, Lorre Patricia Berger

Masters Theses

The resistance to temptation paradigm and modeling literature was reviewed to evaluate imitation effectiveness as an instructional method. Varied interventions used in conjunction with modeling were: rehearsal of rule following behavior; consequences to the model; reinforced and nonreinforced interaction; alternative, attractive and available tasks; and rationales for temptation. The past experimental results of these interventions used with modeling have been diverse. All temptation research utilized the forbidden toy or movie procedures as the tempting situation, while most allowed the subjects to engage in toy play or a film editing task. Imitation proved to be effective in teaching resistance to children. …


A Diagnostic Teaching Analysis Of The Feasibility Of Teaching Trainable Mentally Impaired Students Hutchings’ Low-Stress Addition Algorithm, Marsha K. Markle Aug 1981

A Diagnostic Teaching Analysis Of The Feasibility Of Teaching Trainable Mentally Impaired Students Hutchings’ Low-Stress Addition Algorithm, Marsha K. Markle

Masters Theses

This study attempted to determine the feasibility of teaching trainable mentally impaired subjects Hutchings' low-stress addition algorithm. It was a non-experimental study of acquisition using diagnostic teaching techniques. Three trainable mentally impaired subjects participated in training. No subjects knew basic addition facts, so use of a number line was substituted. Training was divided into four steps: a) use of the DOOF for a single binary; b) notation; c) adding two binaries in one column; and d) adding binaries in two columns. Tests were scored immediately, error patterns diagnosed and program modifications implemented. All subjects acquired skill for the first three …


The Evaluation Of Beginning Therapist Effectiveness Using Karon's Thematic Apperception Test Pathogenesis Index: A Psychological Approach, Catherine Rae Miller Aug 1981

The Evaluation Of Beginning Therapist Effectiveness Using Karon's Thematic Apperception Test Pathogenesis Index: A Psychological Approach, Catherine Rae Miller

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of Karon's Pathogenesis Index as a selection measure for persons entering graduate programs in the mental health field. The fundamental problem generating the research was the need for such selection indicators because of the present inadequacy of personality measures which adequately discriminate between those who have the capacity to become competent therapists and those who do not.

Analysis of the literature revealed many attempts to delineate those characteristics which defined a competent therapist. However, the results were mixed. Only one study VandenBos and Karon (1971) clearly identified a personality variable …


Reduction Of Aggressive Behavior Of A Preschool Child Using Extinction And Teacher Attention Procedures, Greg Randle Aug 1981

Reduction Of Aggressive Behavior Of A Preschool Child Using Extinction And Teacher Attention Procedures, Greg Randle

Masters Theses

The subject was a 2 and a half-year-old male who engaged in a high rate of aggressive behavior that appeared to be maintained by teacher reprimands and physical contact. An extinction procedure in which all aggressive behavior directed toward peers was ignored was used in conjunction with teacher attention directed to the victim. Teacher attention was also used to positively reinforce the subject for interaction with peers. These procedures reduced the subject's aggressive behavior to a much lower rate. Although the subject's undesirable behavior was modified, a questionnaire responded to by the teachers indicated the need for open communication between …


Psychophysics Of Reinforcement Delay, Larry A. Morse Aug 1981

Psychophysics Of Reinforcement Delay, Larry A. Morse

Dissertations

Various models have been used to describe the nature of the relation between reinforcement delay and relative response rate. Delay has been incorporated as one aspect of reinforcement within the matching law which states that the relative response rates in concurrent schedules will equal the relative immediacy of the reinforcement. A variation of matching applicable in concurrent-chain schedules states that the relative rates of responding in the initial links will match the relative reduction in the average delay to reinforcement correlated with the entry to each terminal link. The momentary maximizing position states that the molar matching relation is a …


A Comparison Of Speed And Accuracy In Addition Calculation For High And Low Achieving Math Students Using The Calculator, Conventional Algorithm And The Hutchings' “Low Stress Algorithm”, Edward S. Drew Apr 1981

A Comparison Of Speed And Accuracy In Addition Calculation For High And Low Achieving Math Students Using The Calculator, Conventional Algorithm And The Hutchings' “Low Stress Algorithm”, Edward S. Drew

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to compare the differential calculation power (speed plus accuracy) with addition for the conventional algorithm as compared with the Hutchings' low stress algorithm as compared to hand held calculators for high and low achievers with two levels of difficulty. Also, it is a systematic replication of Zoref's (1976) previous research. The subjects were eight third grade students, four male and four female, approximately nine years old. A multielement baseline design was used varying type calculation method within sessions and level of difficulty across sessions. The Hutchings' "low stress" algorithm produced markedly better results in correct …


A Peer-Managed Contract Study Program For High School Students, Jane F. Stinson Apr 1981

A Peer-Managed Contract Study Program For High School Students, Jane F. Stinson

Masters Theses

A contract study center was implemented in a high school setting. The center employed peer-tutoring and behavioral contracting procedures. The program was designed to assist students with assigned tasks and to increase the efficiency with which in-school study periods were used. Students either were referred by teachers or volunteered to use the center. The project was implemented for ten weeks on a pilot basis. The results indicated that students used the center extensively and adequately adhered to behavior management requirements. A large proportion of contracts were completed demonstrating that the center procedures were effective in facilitating productivity. Staff evaluations showed …


Component Analysis Of Hutchings' Low-Stress Addition Algorithm, Daniel V. Mccallum Apr 1981

Component Analysis Of Hutchings' Low-Stress Addition Algorithm, Daniel V. Mccallum

Masters Theses

An A-B-A-C counterbalanced reversal design was used with two groups to analyze the two components of Hutching's Low-Stress addition algorithm. Fourth grade students achieving 96% accuracy on a pretest of basic math facts were subjects of this study. Subjects were taught two new methods of computation; Hutchings' Low-Stress and the Conventional algorithm with a written record, along with reviewing the Conventional algorithm. Students were given worksheets containing fixed size addition problems and asked to complete as many as possible with a five-minute times session. Accuracy and speed were monitored across the three methods of computation. The results showed superior performance …


Key Predictors Of Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Clients With Psychiatric Disturbance, William Douglas Brooks Apr 1981

Key Predictors Of Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Clients With Psychiatric Disturbance, William Douglas Brooks

Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study to investigate demographic and treatment/training, services provided variables which predict rehabilitation outcomes among clients with psychiatric disturbance. A population of 166 clients representing a "Mental Health" caseload for Fiscal Years 1977, 1978, and 1979 from the Kalamazoo, Michigan Bureau of Rehabilitation District office were studied. The population consisted of three sub-groups of psychotic, neurotic, and character disordered subjects.

A total of twenty demographic and eleven treatment/training independent variables were subjected to correlational and Step-Wise Regression methods of analyses with closure status (Status 26 and Status 28) used as the criterion.

Three major research …