Educational Psychology Commons^™

The Development Of The Parent Effectiveness Test (Pet), Sharon S. Morrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Not Available.

Improving The Perception Students With Learning Disabilities Have Of Students With Mental Retardation Through Peer Tutoring, Sarah R. Raffetto

Theses & Honors Papers

A quasi-experimental design was used to test two hypotheses : that peer tutoring would alter the perception that students with learning disabilities held of students with mental retardation and that the peer tutoring program would improve the spelling scores of both the tutors and the tutees . Two classes of 17 students with learning disabilities and students with mental retardation served as the participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to calculate the significance of the program. The analysis of the results showed a trend towards improvement in perception that the tutors held of students with mental retardation, but because …

The Effects Of An Integrated Environment On Specific Target Behaviors In Severely Impaired Young Children, Rosemarie R. Smith

Masters Theses

Four severely impaired children, ages four to seven, were integrated in a non-handicapped preschool setting during a free play period. A multiple baseline design was used to study the environment's effect on specific target behaviors. No intervention, other than the classroom setting, was implemented to effect levels of these behaviors. The results were mixed with one student showing a marked increased in the desired behavior from.136 occurrences per minute to 1.73 occurrences per minute. However, a second subject's desired behavior decreased from 2.0 occurrences per minute to.194 occurrences per minute. The target behaviors of the remaining two subjects remained unchanged. …

The Effectiveness Of Special Education Placement And Services: A Descriptive Study, Michelle D. Lewis

Masters Theses

This descriptive study evaluated the effectiveness of special education placement and services over a three year period o f time. The files of seventeen students were chosen for the study. The study took place in two school districts in Southwestern Michigan.

The findings from this study indicate that: (a) there was an increase in test scores in the area of Performance IQ, and (b) there was a significant decrease in test scores in the area o f Math Calculation. There was a general trend, although not significant, of a decrease in scores in all areas of ability and achievement except …

Repeated Acquisition With Developmentally Disabled Adults: Some Methodological Improvements, Thomas M. Rueber

Masters Theses

This study obtained repeated-acquisition data from four developmentally disabled adults. The procedure was a refinement of one used earlier by Madsen (1988) and a comparison was made between the two. Verbal praise, edibles, and money were used to reinforce correct responding. In addition, an informal comparison was made between individual repeated-acquisition performance and IQ scores. The refinements of the Madsen procedure included: (1) using a 10-second timeout as the consequence of an error, (2) placing poker chips in die-cut holes, (3) using different colored construction paper backgrounds, (4) limiting each session to one sequence, (5) using percent correct responses as …

A Comparison Of Functional Equivalence Training And Timeout Procedures In The Reduction Of Disruptive Behavior, Steven D . Goodman

Masters Theses

The use of nonaversive or aversive procedures continues to be debated regarding treatment of behavior problems of persons with developmental disabilities. This study compared the efficacy of a punishment and a nonaversive procedure in the reduction of problem behavior. The nonaversive technique involved the teaching of alternative, functionally equivalent, responses. Timeout was employed as the punishment procedure. The functional equivalence training included a functional analysis to identify the motivating conditions for the disruptive behavior of three boys with severe mental retardation. Treatment conditions were evaluated on rate of disruption, effects on learning trials, and time engaged in training. Results indicate …

An Assessment Of The Impact Of Resource Room Placement On Elementary Student Self-Esteem, Michael F. Hopkins

All Graduate Projects

An assessment, in the form of an interview, was conducted to measure the effects of resource room placement and full-time classroom integration on special education student self-esteem. Sixty students in the Wenatchee School District participated in the project during the 1990-1991 school year. The results of the project indicated that the placement of special education students in a full-time integration program does not insure a greater enhancement of their total self-concept; although it may be of benefit to certain areas in their self-esteem. The project included conclusions and recommendations.

A Comparison Of Outcome Reinforcement Contingencies And Process Reinforcement Contingencies Using Concurrent Training With The Severely Mentally Impaired, Nancy Lonsberry

Masters Theses

This study compared the effectiveness of Outcome and Process reinforcement contingencies using concurrent training to teach severely mentally impaired students to perform component tasks. Each student was trained to assemble a four-piece apparatus using either the Outcome contingency or the Process contingency. The Outcome method was defined as a contingency where the final outcome of a component task has been achieved and a reinforcer is delivered contingent upon that outcome. The Process method was defined as a contingency where reinforcement occurs after the performance of each step in the sequence and when the final outcome of the task has been …

Post-Hoc Longitudinal Study Of The Stability And Validity Of Standardized Test Scores Of Handicapped Children, Randal Dennis Brown

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In the delivery of special education services to handicapped children, a requirement to certify the nature and severity of each child's handicap was built into PL 94-142, The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (Reynolds, Gutkin, Elliott, & Witt, 1984). In the aftermath of that legislation has arisen a serious question as to whether or not the process of providing such services on a categorical (by nature of the handicapped) basis has led to an unanticipated social harm (stigma) of such a magnitude that the assessment process needs to be re-evaluated (Guskin, Bartel, & MacMillan, 1975). Part of the social …

The Effect Of Study Skills Training On The Academic Performance Of Learning Disabled Students In Mainstream Classes, Kathleen M. Allen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Discriminative Function Of Six Variables In 9-12-Year-Old Males With Learning Disabilities, Kenneth M. Hanig

Dissertations

Problem

Greater discriminative power to clarify the diagnostic category of learning disabilities is needed. Research identifies many types of learning disabled populations. Studies do not indicate that the six variables used in this project had been combined and used in a project prior to this. Using measures such as Sentence Repeat, Synonyms, Digits Forward/Backwards, Design Copy, Nonsense Words, and Visual Pattern Matching, this project studied the responses of an LD sample to these subtests and their ability to discriminate among a verbally impaired sample, a spatially impaired sample, and a control group.

Method

Six subtests were developed, which, according to …

A Curriculum Design Using Mnemonic-Type Techniques To Aid Recall In Low/Average Achievers In The Fifth Grade, Blanche Floannell Fuqua Mcmath

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children in the Duval County School System in Jacksonville, Florida, who are low/average achievers have to compete in a multi-graded classroom atmosphere. These students are passed along supported by low minimum-based competency test scores. The purpose of this project was to show teachers how they can present mnemonic procedures to these students in an effort to help these students raise test scores, boost self-esteem, and provide a self-help study device that can aid their progress in subsequent grades, aid morale, and thus avoid potential drop-outs in the system. This curriculum design is offered in the subjects of health and science. …

The Development And Validation Of A Social Skills Rating Scale For Early Adolescents, Alan Bain

Dissertations

This study responded to the need for a social skill assessment device specifically for use with early adolescents (i.e., ages 12-15 both regular education and mildly handicapped), that would assist teachers in addressing the social behavior problems experienced by this population.

The purpose of the study was to produce and validate a reliable teacher rating scale for use in: (a) screening adolescents for participation in social skill training programs, (b) measuring the efficacy of social skills training, and (c) measuring the generalization of social skills training to classroom social behavior. Aspects of both traditional and behavioral assessment theory were used …

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' …

Use Of The Audio Visual Tactile Treatment On Disabled Readers In Grades Three And Four : Its Effect On Word Recognition, Silent Reading Comprehension, And Attitude Towards Reading, Shirani Christine De Alwis

Dissertations

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Audio Visual Tactile (AVT) treatment in third - and fourth-grade disabled readers in three areas of reading: word-recognition skills , silent-reading comprehension skills , and attitude towards reading. Procedures A Quasi-Experimental Pretest-Posttest Nonequivalent Group Design was used. The subjects were 87 students in grades 3 and 4 with at least low-average intelligence ( I . Q. scores of 80 and above), receiving Title I reading-support services during the 1979-80 school year. The students were from the Central, Northside, and Oak Manor elementary schools in the Niles Community …

A Study Of Positive Practice Overcorrection Versus Time-Out For Eliminating The Classroom Disruptions Of Relatively Normal Children, Johnny L. Matson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to compare two mild punishment techniques, positive practice overcorrection and time-out, for decreasing talking out and out of seat behavior in relatively normal children. Other variables considered were the practicality of administering positive practice and time-out, the generalization of the technique to other problem behaviors, and emotional side effects resulting from the administration of the techniques. The hypotheses formulated and tested considered which technique most effectively decreased target behaviors and what effect these treatments had on social interactions of treated children. Subjects were 18 males and two females between six and nine years of …

Experiential Awareness: An Existential Approach To Group Psychotherapy With Adolescents, Rae Dezettel Perls

Special Education ETDs

The purpose of this study was to describe experi­ential awareness as an existential approach to psychotherapy with adolescents in groups. Integrated within the study were the critical issues of the nature and behavior of the therapist in the psychotherapeutic encounter with adoles­cents. Review of the literature on adolescent psychology pertinent to the practice of adolescent psychotherapy sug­gested that when adolescents experience "identity crisis," peer group therapy is appropriate. The major propositions, assumptions, and applications of experiential awareness therapy relevant to adolescent therapy groups were examined. The use of therapist journal notes was presented to illus­trate the therapist's experience in the …

The Effects Of Counseling On Sociometric Status With Fifth And Sixth Grade Students, Dennis L. Cruchon

All Master's Theses

Thirty-two children, low in sociometric status, were placed in one of four treatment groups: Counseling, Teacher-Counseling, Teacher Feedback, and a Control for a period of ten weeks. Post tests were administered to determine differences in sociometric gains following treatment.

The results indicated that counseling was an effective means of improving sociometric status when compared to a control group.

Limitations of the study were discussed, and recommendations included measuring individual teacher effect on sociometric status.

The Effect Of Teacher Attention And Peer Approval Facilitated By Material Rewards Upon The Disruptive Classroom Behavior Of A Male Kindergarten Child, Brynne Flanagan Lane

All Master's Theses

The purpose of the present study was to operantly condition a kindergarten boy's classroom behavior. The study consisted of four stages: (1) baseline, (2) contingent teacher attention, (3) minimal contingent teacher attention, and (4) material reinforcement. During phase II, the subject's appropriate behavior was followed as immediately and frequently as possible with teacher positive attention. Disruptive behavior was ignored. During phase III, the teacher systematically decreased the level of positive attention until the "minimum level of reinforcement," i.e.. ten per cent teacher positive attention was reach. During phase IV, material rewards were delivered to all class members contingent upon co-operative …

The Effects Of Perceptual-Motor Training On The Perceptual-Motor Skills Of Emotionally Disturbed Children, Karen R. Brown

Dissertations and Theses

A study was conducted to determine if the program of perceptual-motor training outlined by D.H. Radler and Newell C. Kephart in their book, Success Through Play, would increase the perceptual-motor skills of emotionally disturbed children as measured by the Purdue Perceptual Motor Survey. Twenty children from the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area whose ages ranged from six to twelve years were included in the program. These children were grouped according to their diagnosis of withdrawn or acting-out which was received by the agency upon their referral. Three agencies participated in the study.

Each child was administered the Purdue Perceptual Motor …

A Survey Of The Integration Of Exceptional Children In Regular Classrooms, Catherine A. Greene

All Master's Theses

Educational practice in the past has been to segregate exceptional children by placing them in self-contained special education classrooms. Recently, however, this method has been questioned by leading special educators. Proponents of segregation of exceptional children admit to inadequacies in the present situation, but they argue that such inadequacies can be remedied and do not justify placing exceptional children in regular classrooms. Proponents of integration maintain that exceptional children live in a heterogeneous world and as adults will live and work in a heterogeneous world; therefore, these children should have a school setting that is like the world in which …

A Program For Teaching Beginning Language Skills To Mentally Retarded Children, Thomas James Elzinga

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Relationship Of Weather Phenomena And Disruptive Behavior In Special Education Classrooms, Carol Bartlett Ryno

All Master's Theses

If a clear-cut relationship between weather phenomena and human behavior could be established, the case for controlled atmosphere in industry, commerce, and education would be strengthened. In the area of education, classroom procedures and learning tasks could be varied in accordance with the weather. This dimension could provide for insights into misbehavior and might enable school personnel to deal with such misbehavior more effectively.

The purpose of the present investigation was to gather information pertaining to the relationship of various weather phenomena and disruptive behavior in the classroom. It was intended that the present study differ from that reported by …

A Study Of Three Cases Of Extreme Reading Disability, Dora Francis Hardy

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

The purpose of this study was (1) to relate three cases of severe reading disability in which the condition variously described as strephosymbolia, congenital alexia, or mirror vision has been considered a contributing cause of the reading handicaps; (2) to present the opinions held by various authors concerning such cases; and (3) to describe various types of remediation attempted for such cases.