The Use of Self-Control Procedures with Pre~Adolescents Classified as Educable Mentally Retarded

The effectiveness of self-recording and self-reinforcement procedures implemented in the classroom setting with six pre-adolescent children classified as Educable Mentally Retarded was determined relative to changes in on-task behavior. A multiple baseline design was used and each subject was exposed to both a self-recording procedure and a self-reinforcement procedure. After an initial baseline period, three subjects were exposed to self-recording first, and three subjects went through self-reinforcement first. Contingent reinforcement was not provided for accuracy in either self-recording or self-reinforcement patterns. Observations were conducted to investigate generalization effects of each procedure, and two weeks of follow-up observations were conducted to determine durability effects. The findings indicated that for five of the subjects the self-recording procedure and the self-reinforcement procedure were effective in fostering significant positive increases in on-task behavior. Regarding accuracy, without contingent reinforcement, three of the subjects demonstrated at least 70% agreement with observer recordings during self-recording phases, and four subjects demonstrated at least 70% agreement with observer recordings in their self-reinforcement pattern. Generalization effects were found with two of the subjects, and maintenance effects were evident with one subject. A combined treatment approach, presenting both procedures simultaneously, was implemented with three of the subjects after the study was completed. These results indicated that the combined approach was not more effective than the singular presentation approach taken in the main study. Suggestions were made for future refinements in self-control procedures to increase applicability with special population