This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Jones, R. T. Articles by Kazdin, A. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Jones, R. T. Articles by Kazdin, A. E. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Role of External Variables in Self-Reinforcement

A Review

Brown University

R. Eric Nelson

Pennsylvania State University

Alan E. Kazdin

Pennsylvania State University

The present paper reviews self-reinforcement research in behavior modification. This research suggests that a wide range of responses can be altered, including classroom deportment, academic performance, and studying as well as eating behaviors, smoking, nail-biting, and others. A major area of debate in the self-reinforcement literature is the extent to which external influences contribute to or account for behavior changes usually attributed to self-control. Without embracing a particular conceptual position, examination of the research suggests that several external variables might contribute to self-reinforcement procedures. These variables are rarely acknowledged in investigations as possible sources of influence and include a history of external control in the experiment, criterion setting for the response, self-monitoring, surveillance of the self-reinforcement process, instructional sets, and direct reinforcement or punishment contingencies for the self-reinforcing response or the target behavior. Investigation of these variables will help enumerate both the conceptual basis of self-reinforcement and reveal procedures to enhance the effects of self-reinforcement as a behavior modification technique.

Behavior Modification, Vol. 1, No. 2, 147-178 (1977)
DOI: 10.1177/014544557712001


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. J. Salend Contingency Management Systems Intervention in School and Clinic, January 1, 1987; 22(3): 245 - 253. [PDF]

				C. M. Nelson and L. Polsgrave Behavior Analysis in Special Education: White Rabbit or White Elephant? Remedial and Special Education, July 1, 1984; 5(4): 6 - 15. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. J. Coates and C. E. Thoresen Chapter 1: Behavioral Self-control and Educational Practice or Do We Really Need Self-control? Review of Research in Education, January 1, 1979; 7(1): 3 - 45. [PDF]