Abstract
A home-based behavioral treatment program, utilizing simple edible reinforcers, was employed in a reversal design to modify a child's thumbsucking. Observation of thumbsucking was facilitated by use of a "behavioral seal." At 15-minute intervals during the two hours immediately prior to bedtime, the child's parent recorded the occurrence or nonoccurrence of thumbsucking and, during intervention, also reinforced its absence with candy and verbal praise. Prebedtime sucking decreased markedly during both intervention phases. These effects generalized to postbedtime sucking as well. Implications for application and future research are discussed, and the advantages and possible uses of the behavioral seal are delineated.
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