A Brief Report on Mentally Retarded Residents as Behavioral Observers1

Craighead, W. Edward; Mercatoris, Michael; Bellack, B

doi:10.1901/jaba.1974.7-333

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Prior research has demonstrated that observational techniques are easy to learn. Reliable observational data have been produced by such varied groups as family caregivers (Pinkston and Linsk, 1984), older adult mental health volunteers (current project), and even mildly retarded adults (Craighead and Mercatoris, 1974). It is probable that nursing assistants, to whom the task of observing behavior is likely to fall, will prove capable of performing this skill.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

A behavioral microanalysis of the effects of haloperidol and oxazepam in demented psychogeriatric inpatients

Burgio

Reynolds

Janosky

et al. 1992

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

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SUMMARYTwenty-one inpatients on a psychogeriatric unit were assigned randomly to a haloperidol or oxazepam treatment group. Drug effects were assessed with three psychiatric rating scales and direct behavioral observation. The behavioral microanalysis employed two separate systems of observation: aberrant behaviors were assessed by recording the frequency of behaviors per hour, and the activities assessment (eg social interaction, sleeping) sampled each resident's behaviors during two 10-min intervals per day. Results showed no differences between drug groups on any of the assessments, except for engagement in activities from the activities assessment. A modest non-significant decrease in symptoms was noted on all psychiatric assessments. The behavioral observations showed very low pretreatment levels of aberrant behaviors. Non-significant post-treatment decreases were observed for disruptive vocalizations, paranoid verbalization, and non-compliance; rates of physical aggression and psychomotor agitation increased somewhat. The potential role of behavioral microanalysis in nursing homes is discussed in light of new HCFA guidelines. , 1988;Cohen-Mansfield and Billing, 1986;Zimmer et al., 1984). Psychotropics, and most commonly neuroleptics, are frequently prescribed for these problems, although several literature reviews have concluded that indications of therapeutic efficacy of neuroleptic medications are modest at best (Devanand et al., 1988;Salzman, 1987;Schneider et al., 1990;Sunderland and Silver, 1988). In a recent meta-analysis, Schneider and colleagues (1990) determined that fewer than one in five patients prescribed neuroleptics will display an improvement in behavioral symptoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

A behavioral microanalysis of the effects of haloperidol and oxazepam in demented psychogeriatric inpatients

Burgio

Reynolds

Janosky

et al. 1992

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A recent review of mentally retarded residents as paraprofessionals (Craighead & Mercatoris, 1973) found few studies systematic enough to be more than suggestive; those that were well controlled (Terrell & Stevenson, 196S;Whalen & Henker, 1971) did not allow for generalization beyond a laboratory-type setting. The present study was an attempt (a) to replicate earlier findings that mentally retarded residents could function as reliable behavioral observers (Craighead, Mercatoris, & Bellack, 1974) and (ib) to determine if such observers could function as behavioral change agents. and 63, age 39 and 28, years of institutionalization 23 and 7, respectively) served as observers of the mealtime behaviors of 30 residents of another living unit at a state school for the mentally retarded.…”

mentioning

confidence: 78%

“…All sessions of the study were conducted during the noon meal in the residential unit dining room, where residents sat in numbered chairs at eight family style tables. The observers were trained in the use of a Mealtime Behavior Checklist (MTBC, Craighead et al, 1974). The MTBC is a rating matrix allowing for recording of five categories of behavior (see Table 1) for up to 40 individuals.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mentally retarded residents as paraprofessionals in modifying mealtime behavior.

Mercatoris¹,

Hahn²,

Craighead³

1975

Journal of Abnormal Psychology

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This study first investigated the possibility of employing mildly mentally retarded residents to observe the mealtime behaviors of lower level mentally retarded residents. It was found that the residents could rate mealtime behaviors reliably (mean reliability = 95%, range: 72% to 100%). The residents were then employed as reinforcing agents, to determine if a retarded "trainer" could modify the observed mealtime behaviors within a multiple baseline design. Since an experimental effect was demonstrated on four (proper use of napkin, clean face, clean table, and proper use of utensils) of the five target behaviors, it was concluded that such change agents could modify the mealtime behavior of lower functioning residents. EXPERIMENT 1 SubjectsTwo mildly retarded residents of one living unit (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IQ 62

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“…A "helper-therapy principle" (Riessman, 1965), which assumes that the helper benefits from the helping process, has been applied by organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and has long been used in peer tutoring (e.g., Harris & Sherman, 1973). More recently, the principle has been extended to the use of retardates as behavior modifiers or observers (Craighead, Mercatoris, & Bellack, 1974;Whalen & Henker, 1969, 1971a, 1971b; to token economies (Kale, Zlutnick, & Hopkins, 1970;Phillips, Phillips, Wolf, & Fixsen, 1973;Pomerleau, Bobrove, & Harris, 1972); to transitional programs from the institution to noninstitutional living (Fairweather, Sanders, Maynard, & Cressler, 1969); and in community programs utilizing indigenous help-givers (e.g. Klein, 1967).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear reduction in help-givers as a function of helping.

Rakos¹,

Schrøeder²

1976

Journal of Counseling Psychology

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Anecdotal evidence suggests that a helper benefits from the experience of helping. An analysis of the helping process suggests two important components-modeling of improving behavior by the helpee and a role requirement of behaving competently. In the present research, snake phobics provided help to confederates whom they believed to be similarly phobic. Moderate and severe phobics were assigned to one of four conditions: the role requirement plus modeling, modeling alone, mere participation as a helper, or expectancy control. Results indicated that merely participating as a helper produced behavioral benefits beyond placebo effects. Modeling by the helpee led to additional improvement in the helper, but role demands resulted in no further gains over the modeling effects. Only moderate phobics benefited from mere participation as a helper; severe phobics required the modeling component to achieve improvement. Modeling produced more subjective improvement than the expectancy manipulation.

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A Brief Report on Mentally Retarded Residents as Behavioral Observers1

Cited by 4 publications

References 6 publications

A behavioral microanalysis of the effects of haloperidol and oxazepam in demented psychogeriatric inpatients

A behavioral microanalysis of the effects of haloperidol and oxazepam in demented psychogeriatric inpatients

Mentally retarded residents as paraprofessionals in modifying mealtime behavior.

Fear reduction in help-givers as a function of helping.

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