NCJ Number
38311
Journal
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 41-54
Date Published
1976
Length
14 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY IN WHICH FOUR GIRLS IN THE MAXIMUM SECURITY UNIT OF A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CENTER FOR GIRLS WERE ALLOWED TO SELF-RECORD THEIR BEHAVIORS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN A TOKEN ECONOMY SYSTEM.
Abstract
SELF-RECORDING PROCEDURES WERE USED BY FOUR ADOLESCENT GIRLS TO INCREASE WORK AND COMMENTS (CUES) THAT EVOKED STAFF PRAISE DURING VOCATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS IN A MAXIMUM-SECURITY INSTITUTION FOR OFFENDERS. THE GIRLS WERE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR NOT RESPONDING TO A STAFF-DIRECTED TOKEN PROGRAM. THE SELF-RECORDING PROCEDURES WERE DIRECTED BY A THERAPIST WHO SAW THE GIRLS OUTSIDE THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS. ACCORDING TO A MULTIPLE-BASELINE DESIGN, SELF-RECORDING OF WORK WAS INTRODUCED SEQUENTIALLY TO EACH OF THE TWO OR THREE SETTINGS THE GIRLS ATTENDED EACH DAY. A FEW DAYS AFTER WORK HAD INCREASED, SELF-RECORDING OF CUES WAS INTRODUCED. TOKENS WERE DELIVERED BY THE THERAPIST FOR WORK AND CUES RECORDED BY THE GIRLS. WORK AND CUES INCREASED FOLLOWING SELF-RECORDING FOR THREE OF THE GIRLS AND INCREASED CUES EVOKED HIGHER RATES OF STAFF PRAISE. GIRL AND STAFF BEHAVIORS WERE MAINTAINED DURING SHORT FOLLOW-UP PERIODS WHEN TOKENS WERE NOT GIVEN FOR THE GIRLS' RECORDS. THE PROCEDURES FAILED TO EFFECT DESIRABLE CHANGES WITH A FOURTH GIRL'S WORK, AND SELF-RECORDING OF WORK WAS TERMINATED WITHOUT INTRODUCING CUEING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)