This study investigated the effectiveness of response cost and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) in reducing the disruptive behaviors of 25 children in a preschool classroom. Using an alternating treatments design, disruptive behavior was reduced when the participants earned tokens for the absence of disruptive behavior (DRO) or lost tokens for the occurrence of disruptive behavior (response cost). Initially, DRO was more successful in reducing the number of disruptive behaviors; however, over time, response cost proved to be more effective.DESCRIPTORS: differential reinforcement, disruptive behavior, preschoolers, response cost A few researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of response cost and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) for managing aggressive and disruptive behavior of children in preschool settings. In the response-cost procedures, individual children start with a number of tokens and then lose tokens contingent on each instance of the problem behavior. If a specified number of tokens remain at the end of the session, a reinforcer is delivered (e.g., McGoey & DuPaul, 2000;Reynolds & Kelley, 1997). In the DRO procedure, children earn tokens for the absence of problem behavior in continuous intervals during the session and receive a reinforcer if they have a specified number of tokens at the end of the session (Conyers, Miltenberger, Romaniuk, Kopp, & Himle, 2003 mented individually with 4 children in a preschool setting. Conyers et al. showed that DRO decreased problem behavior when implemented with an entire class of preschoolers. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of response cost and DRO implemented on a classwide basis with preschool children. METHOD Participants and SettingThe participants were 25 children in a preschool classroom. The participants included 4 girls and 21 boys, 4 to 5 years old, who exhibited a high level of disruptive behaviors. The study was conducted in a classroom (25 m by 25 m) with two to three teachers present during every session. Target Behaviors and Data CollectionWe recorded the number of children who exhibited disruptive behaviors during each observation interval using a 10-s interval-recording system (8 s observe, 2 s record). During all sessions, observation intervals were cued by a tape recorder with the vol-

The prevalence of history of head trauma along with reported sequelae as a result of such in this sample suggests that head trauma may certainly be a significant factor in persons presenting for substance abuse treatment. Assessing for a history of head trauma and associated sequelae in persons presenting in substance abuse treatment programs may be clinically appropriate as such sequelae have been found to adversely affect treatment progress. Further discussion on implications of the results of this research as well as discussion on further research in the area are provided.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of self-recording and contingent reinforcement on exercise participation by four adults with acquired brain injury. The results indicate that self-recording and contingent reinforcement increased participation in stretching, aerobic, and weight-lifting activities for each participant. The results also indicate that each participant was able to accurately self-record his or her exercise participation. Possible operant conceptualizations for the observed behavior change, as well as limitations to the results, are briefly discussed.