We evaluated the effects of minimally supervised, independent recreational activities on stereotypic vocal behavior in two chronic schizophrenic patients. In baseline sessions, subjects were observed during unstructured free time in the psychiatric ward. In treatment sessions, therapists presented preferred recreational materials (magazines, models, and art projects), verbally prompted on-task behavior every 20 min, and, in one condition, administered contingent tokens. Independent recreational activities reduced medium-rate self-talk in one subject and high-rate mumbling in a second subject by 60%-70%. Results were the same with or without contingent tokens. Apparent selfmaintaining characteristics of these vocal responses are discussed.DESCRIPTORS: independent recreational activities, hallucinatory behavior, stereotypic vocalizations, schizophrenic inpatients Repetitive and nondirected vocalizations are among the peculiarities that mark chronic psychiatric patients (Paul & Lentz, 1977). These inappropriate responses have been modified in a few behavioral investigations. Using a 10-min sedusionary time-out, Haynes and Geddy (1973) intermittently punished "hallucinatory" speech in a schizophrenic woman on the hospital ward, reducing it by about half. Alford, Fleece, and Rothblum (1982) Bellack, 1977), and while listening to a radio or watching television (Magen, 1983).Stereotypic behavior in retarded clients is well recognized; one intervention that has been applied with this population consists of presenting recreThe authors thank

A group of 10 male chronic patients were observed on a psychiatric ward while participating in structured activities (team sports, art projects, and housework) and during comparison time periods in which no activities were present. Broad spectrum behavioral measures obtained with the Time-Sample Behavior Checklist (TSBC) showed that activities produced a 70% reduction in bizarre and inappropriate behavior, as well as a 400-500% increase in productive and appropriate behavior. Performance in activity sessions with contingent tokens (dependent on subject's participation) and with noncontingent tokens was similar.