@article{c3ce276465bb414eaaa268c1b0eb5bd7,
title = "Efficacy of contingent social disapproval on inappropriate verbalizations of two severely retarded males",
abstract = "Two experiments involving the contingent application of verbal reprimands as a method of decreasing inappropriate social behavior were performed with two severely retarded males in an applied workshop setting. Experiment I showed that the application of a verbal reprimand substantially reduced the occurrence of nonsensical verbalizations. Experiment II demonstrated effective utilization of a verbal reprimand in reducing inappropriate verbalizations in a work setting.",
author = "Richard Schutz and Paul Wehman and Adelle Renzaglia and Orv Karan",
note = "Funding Information: Inappropriate social behaviors are frequently observed in the severely and profoundly retarded (Hollis, 1965a, 1965b; Wehman, 1975). These may include excessive body rocking, motor stimulation, bizarre vocalizations, aggression, and/or self-abusive behavior (Gardner, 1971). Such behavior is contrary to the goals of deinstitutionalization and habilitation since it usually interferes with successful advances in academic and vocational training, acceptance by nonretarded peers in community settings, and successful placement in group home and other noninstitutional environments. With the increased emphasis on the deinstitutionalization of severely handicapped persons (Scheerenberger, 1974), there is a continuing need to identify and validate empirically methods which reduce these maladaptive social behaviors. One method that has received some attention is the use of verbal reprimands. Unfortunately, support for the effectiveness of verbal reprimands as a behavioral consequence is inconclusive (Kazdin, 1975). While investigators have found reprimands to decrease inappropriate behavior (Hall, Fox, Willard, Goldsmith, Emerson, Owen, Davis, & Porcia, 1971; O'Leary, Kaufman, Kass, and Drabmen, 1970), others have found them to increase behaviors (Browning & Stover, 1971; Madsen, Becker, Thomas, Koser, & Plager, 1970). Still other researchers have found that {"}negative attention,{"} that is, a firm verbal reprimand accompanied by an intense glare, significantly decreased noncompliant behavior in nonretarded children (Forehand, Roberts, Doleys, Hobbs, & Resick, 1976). In light of the equivocal findings, further investigations into the efficacy of verbal reprimands as an intervention strategy seem warranted. If effective, verbal reprimands offer a reasonable alternative to some of the other decelerating strategies such as isolation (Ander- This research was supported by Grant No. 16P-56811/5-11 from the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the Social and Rehabilitation Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requests for reprints should be sent to Richard P. Schutz, 425 North First Street, #I, Charlottesville, VA 22901.",
year = "1978",
month = sep,
doi = "10.1016/S0005-7894(78)80143-9",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "9",
pages = "657--662",
journal = "Behavior Therapy",
issn = "0005-7894",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
number = "4",
}