The effects of multi-component,assessment-based curricular modifications on the classroom behavior of children with emotional and behavioral disorders

In this study, academic task assignments were modified in an effort to improve the conduct and task performance of three students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Functional assessments, including interviews and direct observations, were conducted to identify variables that affected the performance of each student during problematic assignments. The assessments implicated several variables for each student. These variables were then used as guides to modify the problematic tasks. The modifications resulted in reduced levels of problem behaviors and increased rates of task engagement, work productivity and accuracy for each of the students. The effects were demonstrated within ongoing academic activities and replicated through the use of reversal designs. The findings are discussed in relation to the practical process of functional assessment and the relevance of curricular and instructional arrangements to the occurrence of disruptive behavior.     

The φ-maze: A versatile automated T-maze for learning and memory experiments in the rat

The φ-maze is a novel implementation of the T-maze that can be used for various behavioral experiments. It consists of a start/goalbox from which a central alley leads to a choice point. Left and right arms return to the start/goalbox, where reinforcers are delivered. A holding chamber at the choice point can be used for delayed (non)matching-to-sample experiments. Lamps mounted under the translucent acrylic floor serve as visual stimuli. The design incorporates reliable and inexpensive automated guillotine doors and a modification of a commercially available pellet dispenser that allows the automated dispensing of Froot Loop reinforcers. The φ-maze has been used successfully in experiments involving spatial and visual alternation, visual discrimination, and delayed matching-to-sample.     

Social attitudes of schizophrenics

The Wilson-Patterson Conservatism Scale was given to 34 schizophrenic and 34 non-schizophrenic patients in a Dutch mental hospital. The absence of liberal-scoring schizophrenics was interpreted as consistent with the theory that the social withdrawal seen in chronic schizophrenia represents a strategy for coping with stimulus overload. Internal consistency analysis of C scale performance indicated that this test might be used to assess thought disorder in much the same way as the Bannister and Fransella Grid Test, but a great deal more economically. Furthermore, the questionnaire permits a more detailed examination of the source of inconsistency than does the repertory grid method.     

An inexpensive digital millisecond timer and event counter

A simple circuit for a digital millisecond timer and event counter is described. The total cost of the unit including all components, a power supply, and an enclosure is less than $30. Daily use in simple reaction time experiments has demonstrated the reliability of the design.     

A technique for converting from intravenous drug self-administration to liquid reinforcement

A rapid inexpensive technique for changing from intravenous drug self-administration (DSA) to liquid reinforcement is described. Utilizing a standard peristaltic-type infusion pump typically used in DSA experiments and a specially designed drinking cup, the changeover from intravenous DSA to liquid reinforcement can be accomplished in a few minutes at a cost of less than $10.     

A set-theoretic random utility model of choice behavior

A random utility model of choice was developed by combining the basic ideas of the well-known theories of Thurstone and Restle. The new model has exactly the same number of free parameters as Tversky's Elimination-by-Aspects model. Furthermore, both models were found to fit, with equal accuracy, the data reported by Rumelhart and Greeno, and Tversky. It was concluded that although the two theories are not identical, they may be difficult to discriminate empirically.