Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior in the Treatment of Inappropriate Behavior and Aggression in an Adult with Mental Retardation at a Vocational Center

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) was used to reduce aggression and other inappropriate actions in a 26-year-old man with moderate mental retardation employed at a vocational center. Initially high baseline levels of inappropriate behavior were reduced by implementing contingent praise and a sticker system used to earn points needed to gain access to social activities. The procedure was low cost, required minimal time and effort on the part of center staff, and made it possible for the client to remain employed at the vocational center.     

Social and hormonal bases of individual differences in the parental behaviour of birds and mammals.

We present an overview of research on how social experiences and hormonal responses affect individual variation in parental care of birds and mammals. The parental roles of prolactin and glucorticoids (corticosterone or cortisol) have many similarities in birds and in mammals. Prolactin may be involved in the initiation of parental interactions, with prolactin variation possibly explaining individual differences in parental decision-making. Glucocorticoid levels increase when parents have to work harder, with some individuals showing greater hormonal and behavioural responses than others. Testosterone interferes with paternal behaviour in birds, but its role is more complex and species-specific in male mammals. We examine these differences in an adaptive framework, where retaining flexibility of response has allowed individuals to respond differentially to social opportunities and environmental change.     

Presentation modality and indirect performance information: effects on ratings,reactions, and memory

The authors investigated whether raters integrate indirect (second-hand) information from an employee's co-worker with their direct observations when completing performance evaluations. Performance levels of direct and indirect information and presentation modality (auditory vs. textual) were manipulated (N = 220). Results showed that indirect information was perceived to be of highest utility when the performance levels of the direct and indirect information were consistent. Confidence in performance ratings was lowest when the indirect source delivered negative performance feedback that was contrary to the rater's own positive observations. Indirect information was only reflected in the performance ratings when direct observations were positive. There was a significant 3-way interaction between performance level of the direct information, performance level of the indirect information, and presentation modality on memory for performance incidents.     

Applicant reactions to face-to-face and technology-mediated interviews: a field investigation

This field study examined applicant reactions (N = 802) toward face-to-face as compared with technology-mediated interviews (through videoconferencing or by telephone) for 346 organizations. Face-to-face interviews were perceived as more fair and led to higher job acceptance intentions than were videoconferencing and telephone interviews. Perceived interview outcomes were higher with face-to-face and telephone interviews over videoconferencing. Self-monitoring moderated the relationship between interview medium and perceptions of fairness. Specifically, this relationship was (a). positive for face-to-face, (b). negative for telephone, and (c). nonsignificant for videoconferencing interviews. Moreover, the number of offers an applicant received moderated the relationship between interview medium over, and perceived fairness. The relationship between number of offers and perceived fairness was positive for face-to-face and negative for technology-mediated interviews.     

Prompts to regulate emotions improve the impact of health messages on eating intentions and behavior

The current study examined the effect of emotion regulation prompts on obesity-related behavioral intentions and food choices in a sample of undergraduate students. Prior to reading a pamphlet regarding obesity-related health concerns and healthy food choices, participants were prompted to regulate their emotions or no prompt was given. Study 1 investigated differences in health behavior intentions and perception of risk of obesity-related health concerns. Study 2 examined differences in meal choices from a menu. Finally, Study 3 examined differences in food choices between participants prompted to attend, regulate emotions, or no prompt. Participants prompted to regulate their emotions were more likely to report intentions to follow a healthier diet and perceive a greater likelihood of health concerns, select health food options from a presented menu. and select a healthier food choice from presented options. These findings suggest emotion regulation strategies may be beneficial to increase awareness of perceived health risks as well as encourage healthier lifestyle choices among college students.