Anthony R. Ciminero

Dry-bed training and retention control training: A comparison

This study examined the efficacy of Dry-Bed Training (DBT) in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis and provided a direct comparison with Retention Control Training (RCT). Changes in bladder capacity as well as wets per night were recorded. The results revealed (a) DBT to be effective in reducing enuresis, (b) DBT to be clearly superior to RCT, and (c) no apparent relationship between bladder capacity and changes in wetting frequency. The differences between these data and those obtained from previous studies using DBT and RCT were discussed, as were the accuracy and reliability of the estimates of bladder capacity.

Current Developments in the Behavioral Assessment of Children

Within recent years, there has been a phenomenal growth in the interest in behavior therapy with children. The advances in behavioral approaches is evidenced by the fact that in the 1950s, behavior modification was not even considered a major treatment technique for children (Buxbaum, 1954), and now there are several books devoted exclusively to this topic (e.g., Graziano, 1975; Mash, Hamerlynck, & Handy, 1976; Ross, 1974).

Parent report measures of child behavior: A review

The present paper reviews several different methods used to collect parent report data on children. The specific methods were categorized and discussed in three general categories including checkli...

The generality of the therapeutic effects of progressive relaxation training for essential hypertension

Abstract A client with essential hypertension was successfully treated with progressive relaxation training. Measures obtained outside the therapeutic setting indicated that during treatment there were generalized decreases to the normotensive range in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A ten-month follow-up revealed that these decreases were maintained in the clients natural environment.

Self-control progressive relaxation training as an alternative nonpharmacological treatment for essential hypertension: Therapeutic effects in the natural environment.

Abstract Two clients with 3 and 5 1 2 yr history of essential hypertension were successfully treated using self-control progressive relaxation training (PRT). Blood pressure was self-recorded twice daily in the natural environment by each client. The natural environment blood pressures of both clients declined during treatment and stabilized within the normotensive range. Blood pressure reductions were maintained at six months follow-up for one client and two months for the other.

The effects of performance standards on self-evaluation and self-reinforcement in depressed and nondepressed individuals

Recently there has been an increased interest in the role of self-evaluation, self-reinforcement, and self-control in depression (Fuchs & Rehm, 1977). Rehm (1977) summarized data indicating that depressed individuals appear to be less effective at both evaluating and reinforcing themselves. The present analog study examined the effects of one potentially critical variable, performance standards, on self-evaluation and self-reinforcement in depressed and nondepressed subjects.

A two-year follow-up of enuretic children treated with dry bed training☆

Abstract In a two year follow-up of 12 children who had been treated with dry bed training it was found that five of the eight who had achieved continence averaged less than one bed wetting per month during the follow-up period. Of the other three, two were wetting four times per month and one six times. In those who had terminated treatment prematurely a mean of 14.5 wet nights per month was reported.

The effects of reciprocal reactivity on positively and negatively valenced self-rated behaviors

Abstract Reactivity refers to behavioral changes that occur in a target behavior when some assessment procedure is used to record that behavior (Webb. Campbell. Schwanz and Sechrest, 1966). One example of these reactive effects is the change in response frequency that occurs when individuals are asked to self-record their own behavior. Several studies have demonstrated that self-recorded behaviors will increase or decrease in frequency (Ciminero. Nelson and Lipinski. 1977). Kanfer (1970) speculated that the direction of this reactive behavior change is related to the social norms or valence of the response. Thus, appropriate or positively valenced behaviors are likely to increase when they are self-monitored whereas inappropriate or negatively valenced behaviors would be more likely to decrease (e.g. Broden. Hall and Mitts. 1971). Cavior and Marabotto (1976) directly examined the effects of behavior valence on the direction of change due to self-monitoring. They used heterosexual dyads to compare the effects of various monitoring procedures on behaviors that were selected by subjects as having one of three valences: High social desirability, neutral social desirability, or low social desirability. They found that the valence of a target behavior was important in determining the direction of change: positive verbal behaviors increased whereas negative verbal behaviors decreased during the dyadic interactions. Reactive effects other than those found in self-monitoring have also received some attention. In an examination of the parameters of reactivity Ciminero. Graham and Jackson (1977) studied a phenomenon they labelled reciprocal reactivity . This term describes the behavior changes that occur in individuals who are asked to record the behavior of others . Ciminero et al . reported four single-case designs in which parameters of reciprocal reactivity were examined in female dyads. In the first three experiments, various motor responses (e.g. leg-kicking, head-nodding, or face-touching) decreased in subjects when they were asked to monitor those behaviors in their partners. The fourth experiment showed that self-monitoring resulted in greater decreases in response rate than did the reciprocal reactivity. As with self-monitoring, the valence of the target behavior may have an important influence on the direction of the behavior change due to reciprocal reactivity. Since the valence of behaviors targeted in the study by C iminero et al . (1977) were not specifically evaluated the effects of valence could not be established. Therefore, the present study was designed to replicate the effects of reciprocal reactivity and to examine the influence of the valence of the target behaviors.

A review of treatment approaches for hyperactive behavior

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to review treatment approaches for hyperactive behavior of children. Both medical and psychological treatment techniques are examined. Chemotherapy with psychostimulant drugs is the more frequently employed treatment; however, a number of problems with this approach, such as negative side effects and the failure to affect scholastic achievement, have been demonstrated. Behavior modification has been the primary non‐medical management procedure. Although studies using behavior management techniques generally have employed adequate experimental designs, several problems, such as the absence of follow‐up data, are apparent. Directions for further research are suggested.

Journal literature on behavior therapy 1970–1976: Analysis of the subject characteristics, target behaviors, and treatment techniques

Abstract Recent trends in behavioral research were analyzed in terms of subject characteristics, target behaviors and treatment techniques. The sample of literature examined included all of the articles published from 1970 to 1976 in the four major behavioral journals. Results indicate that the majority of research has been conducted with (1) college are persons who were treated for fears or anxiety with systematic desensitization, and (2) elementary school age children who were treated for overt behavior problems or academic skills deficits with positive reinforcement procedures. Several trends in the data suggest that additional behavioral techniques and other target behaviors have been receiving greater attention in recent years. In general, the trends indicate that behavior therapy is expanding in its scope to provide a more balanced coverage of the various target behaviors and treatment methods.