Reducing Troublesome Behaviour in Three Secondary Pupils through Correspondence Training

The Use of Correspondence Training in Improving the In‐class Behaviour of Very Troublesome Secondary School Children

“…These findings concur with those of Craven (1991) and of Glynn, Merrett and Houghton (1991) and support Israel's (1978) claim that the training of correspondence between saying and doing can help to solve the problem of generalisation. Within the present study, in contrast with the Whitman et al (1982) paper, information about the contingencies of reinforcement in operation was provided for each pupil in the initial correspondence training session and was also included in the researcher's feedback.…”

“…It is interesting to note that in the present study, in the pilot study and in the study by Glynn, Merrett and Houghton (1991) several pupils were wrongly selected in terms of displaying high levels of TOOT and HOC. This occurred in spite of the fact that the teachers who nominated the experimental pupils were given precise definitions of the behaviours under investigation and clearly demonstrates how teachers' perceptions of their pupils' behaviour are far from accurate.…”

“…The training interventions, therefore, began on four successive dates. Downloaded by [Northeastern University] at 01:29 21 November 2014 V. Anderson & F. Merrett Pupil behaviour was recorded by both teachers and pupils using cards [designed by Merrett for an earlier, similar project (Glynn, Merrett and Houghton, 1991)] approximately 12X7 cm (see Appendix for sample). On the front of each card, spaces were provided for marking scores against each of two behaviours-talking out of turn (TOOT), which included calling out, making remarks, interrupting and distracting others by talking or chattering and hindering other children (HOC), which included distracting others from their work, interfering with their equipment or materials.…”

“…Another study concentrating on the social behaviour of pupils of secondary school age was that of Glynn, Merrett and Houghton (1991). This was carried out in the same large secondary school in the West Midlands of England as the present study and involved three pupils whose classroom behaviour was thought by teachers to be extremely troublesome.…”

Classroom Management for Project Work: an application of correspondence training

“…The paradigm has also been applied to improve the behaviour of secondary aged pupils who were identified by their teachers as having learning and behaviour problems (Glynn et al, 1991). The pupils displayed a high level of two troublesome behaviours in particular.…”