The low explained variance in sociol'al theory (on the average about 10%) is considered as a serious problem, probably due to the traditional methodology. A method from psychophysics, whose results ...involve human data & stimulus-response relationships, is proposed to remedy this. The method involves mathematical exp'tion & r. Data are reviewed from a number of mathematical exp's & r'al studies by a variety of authors--of status, group learning, gambling & voting. All of these involved psychophysical measurements &/or objective measurements at the ratio level. The resulting theoretical equations explain from 85% to 99% of the variance. Objections that may be raised against the method are dealt with & rejected as unfounded. The usefulness of the measures advocated for building strong theory--relatively accurate statements of expected relationships--is affirmed. 6 Tables. Modified HA.
By the novel system of rewards outlined in this article, two-year-old children learned to read, the hyperaggressive to sit calmly and study, and the nonverbal and the autistic to speak. (RJ)
The results of using new methods of discipline on learning are described. The new methods involve simply the reinforcing of 'good' behavior & the non-punitive discouragement of 'bad behavior. ' They ...have worked surprisingly well over the past 18 months on diff types of problem children, eg, extraordinarily aggressive boys, shy, withdrawn, & autistic children. The practical details of the new system are described. A tokenexchange was employed: children receive tokens as rewards for desirable behavior. They can exchange the tokens for such a tangible reward as watching a movie. More tokens can 'buy' more comforts while watching the movie. By contrast, it is noted that 'our world reinforces & rewards aggressive behavior. ' Boys become aggressive because they get something for it; to continue to be aggressive because the rewards are continuing. The new system reverses this exchange. Cooperative behavior is rewarded; aggressive behavior is discouraged. Even hyperaggressive boys began to be cooperative. Exp's with 'normal' children proved the method equally effective. Rewards must be connected directly to the work performed & be given promptly. Praise & approval by themselves are not enough. By the use of this system, 2-yr old children were taught to read & autistic ones to speak. The various applications of it on diff groups of children are described. 6 Figures. M. Maxfield.
Research and development work performed by the authors as employees of the Central Midwestern Regional Educational Laboratory is treated in this book concerning the acculturation processes through ...which children develop the essential human characteristics, in particular, the humane processes of humanization. The 10 chapters of the book are: 1. Introduction; 2. The Young Child; 3. Inner-City Children; 4. Inner-City Classes: Problems and Procedures; 5. The Hyperagressive Child; 6. Two Aggressive Lives; 7. The Autistic Child: An Introduction; 8. Autism: Its Remediation; 9. Infantile Autism: A Case Study in Remediation; and 10. Theoretical Conclusions. The two appendixes to the book present The Mathematical Properties of Learning Curves and References. An author and a subject index is provided. (DB)
