The use of covert positive reinforcement in the treatment of a hyperactive child: An empirical case study

This study evaluated the effects of covert positive reinforcement (CPR) on a 9-year old, third-grade student who was causing a classroom disturbance. CPR was conducted for six sessions over a 3-week period to reduce (a) out-of-seat behavior, (b) excessive noisemaking, and (c) rocking-in-chair behavior. There was an immediate improvements in three target behaviors following the implementation of CPR by the school psychologist. Only the rocking-in-chair behavior shows a trend in the direction of a reversal effect during a 6-day follow-up.