The negative interactions of a mildly retarded child, Dennis, were reduced in three daily recess periods, with the use of a point system. Adult monitors initiated the intervention in the morning recess; reductions achieved during adult monitoring were maintained in that recess during two subsequent conditions: peer monitoring and self-monitoring. Dennis' negative interactions were reduced next in the afternoon recess by peer monitors. Again, reductions were maintained during a subsequent self-monitoring condition. Finally,
This paper proposes a three-stage continuum for discussing the development and dissemination of behavioral technology. At the level of behavioral techniques, researchers need only establish a functional relationship between technologically defined intervention procedures and socially significant target behaviors. Dissemination is conducted for informational purposes only, and the purposes and details surrounding subsequent use of the technique are left to the discretion of the user. At the level of behavioral demonstration, a collection of socially acceptable intervention procedures is refined and standardized and must be shown to produce behavior changes across a number of subjects. Here dissemination is conducted, in large part, to generate support for provision of services. At the level of behavioral models, procedural descriptions must be useroriented. Additionally, model effects must be obtainable by agents not associated with their development and must compare favorably with other treatment or service alternatives. The purpose of dissemination at this level is to obtain adoptions and replications of the model. Details of development and dissemination of behavioral technology at each of these three levels are discussed.
Nine children with low levels of peer interaction at school were given repeated exposure to treatment in this study of behavior maintenance. Five of these children had received previous intervention for social withdrawal; theremaining four children had not. Intervention (social skills tutoring and arecess-based point system) was alternated with reversals to determine whether maintenance effects would accumulate with repeated exposure to treatment. Four of the five previously treated subjects were interacting within normative levels of social behavior following three treatment "booster shots." Only one previously untreated subject showed a similar effect. Teacher, parent, and peer ratings showed improvement for both groups. It appears that a treatment "booster shot" strategy might facilitate maintenance of interactive behavior for children previously treated for social withdrawal. These findings are discussed in terms of social entrapment and social validation.
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