Behavioral cohabitation: increasing satisfaction among nonmarried dyads?

The present study reports upon a standard behavior therapy treatment package applied to three clinically referred cohabitating couples. Multidimensional assessment measures included reports by self, partner, and external observers of couples' interactions. Moreover, a multiple-baseline design across couples was employed as a means of evaluating treatment efficacy. Therapy involved the weekly administration of bibliotherapy and exercise material, with therapist contact purposely minimized. An analysis of results indicates modest treatment success with considerable between-subject variability. These findings are discussed with regard to gender differences, ceiling effects, and utilization of standardized therapy packages. Recommendations are made for future behavioral cohabitation research.

The "bathroom game": a systematic program for the elimination of encopretic behavior.

The present investigation utilized a unique, variable ratio schedule of reinforcement (the "bathroom game") to treat a 10-year-old encopretic male. Dependent measures included confirmed incidents of (a) soiling and (b) appropriate bowel movements monitored across an ABAB design (Baseline 1, "Bathroom Game 1", Baseline 2, "Bathroom Game 2") with one-year follow-up. During "bathroom game" conditions, contingent monetary rewards were provided for non-instances of soiling and appropriate bowel movements. Such rewards were progressively and systematically leaned-out over the course of treatment on a pre-determined variable ratio schedule. Results indicated a clear demonstration of functional control and clinically significant treatment effects during both experimental periods. These findings are discussed with regard to the positive features of the "bathroom game" procedure and recommendations are made for future investigations in the area.

The development of children's eating habits: the role of television commercials.

There is growing evidence that the long-term consumption of the typical high-sugar, high-calorie American diet may lead to a variety of health problems. Since the majority of food ads on television are for high-sugar, high-calorie types of foods, researchers have begun investigating the effects of these commercials. A number of self-report, survey, and correlational studies have found that children watch on the average 28 hours of TV a week, see over 11,000 low-nutrition "junk" food ads a year on TV, believe (at the younger ages) that commercials tell the truth, recall the ads, and often request in stores foods that are highly advertised. A series of behavioral/experimental studies conducted at the University of Montana are reported in some detail. The initial stage of the research focused upon the development of a methodology for assessing the impact of commercials upon the actual amounts of foods consumed. Next, a series of studies investigating the effects of low-nutrition, pro-nutrition, and nonfood commercials upon the eating behaviors of children was begun. The results, to date, suggest low-nutrition ads are most effective in increasing total caloric consumption. Additionally, low-nutrition ads seem to affect boys more than girls and are not mediated by cognitive development. Finally, pro-nutrition ads have so far proven ineffective in increasing consumption of pro-nutrition foods. Some of the implications of applying the growing body of empirical literature on children's television to social policy issues are also discussed.