Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons^™

Behavioral Modification Of Trainable Mentally Retarded Children, Cheryl Mayo Frair

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In Experiment I, contingency management was employed with five non-institutionalized trainable retardates (mean MA=4.l, CA=9.9, and language age=2.6) in a classroom situation. Empirically determined high probability behaviors were displayed as colored cartoon figures in a reinforcement menu. Tasks from the Peabody Language Development Kit defined the behavior strengthened during 15 one-hour sessions. A quantity of low probability task behavior had to occur in order for subjects to emit 4 minutes of high probability reinforcing activity. Through contingency management, amount of task per reinforcement was shaped from a low ratio to a high ratio. Significant gains in language age (p

In …

Guarded And Unguarded Responses To Sentence Completion Tests Among Normal Adolescents And Juvenile Delinquents, Mohammed K. Fazel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was designed to test the responses of a group of juvenile delinquests and a group of normal adolescents to a sentence completion test. The test used was a modified form of Sack's Sentence Completion test in two forms--form A, first person stems and form B, third person stems. The hypothesis to be tested were (1) people project more in the third person, (2) the normal projects more, and (3) there would be no difference in projection on neutral items. The results bear out the three hypothesis. The sex scale, however, was an exception. This may be due to …

Pupil Attitudes Toward School, Peers, And Teachers Under Ability-Grouped And Random-Grouped Systems In Weber And Ogden School Districts, Val R. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Attitudes are usually defined as feelings for or against something (Remmers and Gage, 1955). They are very important in the lives of people because they help determine future success in an individual's life. Because of them one works to get the things he wants, one votes for or against certain issues, one joins a cause, opposes something, or attempts to influence others.

Children's Friends In Ability Vs. Randomly Grouped Classrooms, Nolan Kay Griffin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For over forty years ability grouping has been of professional concern to educators in the United States (Reisner, 1936). There have been fundamental changes in educational theory and practice during that time, one of which is the recognition that educational practices must adjust to individual differences. The interpretation of "equal opportunity" in education has gradually changed from meaning the same methods, standards, and course content for all children, to meaning the full opportunity for each child to develop his own potential in a school program suited to his individual capacities and needs.

The interpersonal relationships and social development of school …

A Comparison Of Aspiration Levels Of Students In Ability-Grouped And Randomly-Grouped Schools, George Aaron Jeffs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Grouping students with in the school setting has long been a concern to all those associated with the educative process. Much investigation has been devoted to the position of level of aspiration as influential motive forces for educational, occupational, and social achievement. Many avenues of grouping have been investigated and some very thoroughly. However, research concerning grouping in relation to level of aspiration in the school setting appears to be extremely limited. This study is designed to further investigate this issue. It might be said that this study consists of essentially two phases: (1) the development of instruments for measuring …

An Analysis Of The Achievement Gains Made By Students In Ability-Grouped Vs. Random-Grouped Classroom Units, Luan H. Ferrin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Because of the rapid advancements being made in the field of knowledge, educators, as well as those in other fields, must periodically take inventory. Current practices, policies, and methods must be carefully scrutinized to determine if they are the most effective. The group or class method of instruction is one such area.

A Comparison Of Underachievers And Normal Achievers At The Upper-Elementary And Seventh-Grade Level, M. Nephi Manning

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

That each is born with differing capacities and potentials is self-evident. Both students and teachers should accept as their right and duty the task of bringing to full fruition these latent potentialities.

It is a cause of concern in the nation, among parents and teachers, and in later years among students themselves, that many of our youth fail to achieve that of which they are capable. This is a loss to society and a disappointment to the individual.

The purpose of this study is to add to the growing fund of knowledge concerning factors related to this important area of …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Effects Of Heterogeneous And Homogeneous Elementary School Grouping Practices On Selected Personality Variables, Clarence D. Swaner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The relative advantages or disadvantages associated with the practice of grouping school children according to ability level has long been the subject of considerable discussion among educators. The general tendency has been for educators to divide into two camps: Those who expound the various merits of homogeneous grouping, and those who favor and support heterogeneous grouping practices. Less common, but acknowledged, are those educators who favor a combination of the two methods. Research dealing with the relative value of either method has usually been concerned with only one aspect of the problem--that of academic achievement. However, the efforts of several …