A note on the use of peer assistance and praise to increase engagement and productivity on a vocational assembly task

Heap, Christine; Emerson, Eric

doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.1989.tb00026.x

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…( 2001 ) (All TS) Peer-to-peer written praise: “Tootle” notes, compliments books/praise notes A pad or display of decorative notes is posted on a wall, read aloud, or placed in a photo album where peers praise behaviors Social competence, academic achievement, work performance, violence, aggression, physical health, vandalism Cabello and Terrell ( 1994 ), Embry et al. ( 1996 ), Farber and Mayer ( 1972 ), Heap and Emerson ( 1989 ), Mayer et al. ( 1983 , 1993 ), Skinner et al.…”

Section: Kernel Definition Derivation and Examplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence-based Kernels: Fundamental Units of Behavioral Influence

Embry¹,

Biglan

2008

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev

336

270

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This paper describes evidence-based kernels, fundamental units of behavioral influence that appear to underlie effective prevention and treatment for children, adults, and families. A kernel is a behavior-influence procedure shown through experimental analysis to affect a specific behavior and that is indivisible in the sense that removing any of its components would render it inert. Existing evidence shows that a variety of kernels can influence behavior in context, and some evidence suggests that frequent use or sufficient use of some kernels may produce longer lasting behavioral shifts. The analysis of kernels could contribute to an empirically based theory of behavioral influence, augment existing prevention or treatment efforts, facilitate the dissemination of effective prevention and treatment practices, clarify the active ingredients in existing interventions, and contribute to efficiently developing interventions that are more effective. Kernels involve one or more of the following mechanisms of behavior influence: reinforcement, altering antecedents, changing verbal relational responding, or changing physiological states directly. The paper describes 52 of these kernels, and details practical, theoretical, and research implications, including calling for a national database of kernels that influence human behavior.Keywords Evidence-based kernels Á Public-health benefits Á Prevention Á Treatment This paper presents an analysis of fundamental units of behavioral influence that underlie effective prevention and treatment. We call these units kernels. They have two defining features. First, in experimental analysis, researchers have found them to have a reliable effect on one or more specific behaviors. Second, they are fundamental units of behavior influence in the sense that deleting any component of a kernel would render it inert. Understanding kernels could contribute to an empirically based theory of behavioral influence, facilitate dissemination of effective prevention and treatment practices, clarify the active ingredients in existing interventions, and contribute to developing interventions that are more efficient and effective. Subsequent sections of this paper expand on the two essential features of evidence-based kernels, as well as the origins of the idea and terminology.The ultimate goals of treatment and prevention research are a reduction of the prevalence of the most common and costly problems of behavior and an increase in the prevalence of wellbeing. Current thinking about how to accomplish this assumes that we will identify empirically supported programs and, to a lesser extent, policies, and will disseminate them widely and effectively. Although substantial progress is occurring through this strategy, there are at least four limitations to it that point to the value of kernels as a complementary strategy.First, it is difficult to implement a program's efficacy widely with fidelity or effectiveness. Ringwalt et al. (2003) surveyed a sample of 1,795 school staff members who were i...

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