The present study compared the effects of correcting errors in a typical tennis class to selectively ignoring these errors while praising appropriate tennis performance. The effects of this behavioral procedure, differential reinforcement, were assessed using a multiple baseline design across subjects (three junior high students) and three tennis skills: forehand, backhand, and serve. The results demonstrated that differential reinforcement increased performance two to four times over baseline. These results extend the findings on differential reinforcement and suggest this procedure as a method for developing sports skills.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Allison, M. , & Ayllon, T.Behavioral coaching: A systematic method for motor skill acquisition, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1980, 13, 297-314.
2.
Azrin, N. H. , Rubin, H., O'Brien, R., Ayllon, T., & Roll, D.Behavioral engineering: Postural control by a portable operant apparatus. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968, 1, 99-108.
3.
Hardiman, S. A. , Goetz, E. M., Reuter, K. B., & LeBlanc, J. M.Primes, contingent attention, training: Effects on a child's motor behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1975, 8, 399-416.
4.
Heward, W. L.Operant conditioning of a .300 hitter. The effects of reinforcement on the offensive efficiency of a barnstorming baseball team . Behavior Modification, 1978, 2, 25-39.
5.
Horner, R. D. , & Baer, D. M.Multiple-probe techniques: A variation on the multiple baseline. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1978, 11, 189-196.
6.
Komaki, J. , & Barnett, F. T.A behavioral approach to coaching football: Improving the play execution of the offensive backfield on a youth football team. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1977, 10, 65.
7.
Madsen, C. H. , Becker, W. L. & Thomas, D. R.Rules, praise and ignoring: Elements of elementary classroom control. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968, 1, 139-150.
8.
McKenzie, T. L. , & Rushall, B. S.The neglect of reinforcement theory in physical education. Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Journal, 1973, 39, 13-17.
9.
McKenzie, T. L. , & Rushall, B. S.Effects of self-recording on attendance and performance in a competitive swimming training environment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1974, 7, 199-206.
10.
Rushall, B. S. , & Pettinger, J. A.Evaluation of the effect of various reinforcers used as motivators in swimming. Research Quarterly, 1968, 40, 540-545.
11.
Rushall, B. S. , & Siedentop, D.The development and control of behavior in sports &physical education. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1972.
12.
Schwarz, M. L. , & Hawkins, R. P.Application of delayed reinforcement procedures to the behavior of an elementary school child. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1970, 3, 1-4.
13.
Smith, R. E. , Smoll, F. L., & Hunt, E.A system for the behavioral assessment of athletic coaches. Research Quarterly, 1978, 48, 401-407.
14.
Suinn, R. M.Removing emotional obstacles to learning and performance by visuo-motor behavioral rehearsal . Behavior Therapy, 1972, 3, 308-310.
15.
Suinn, R. M.Behavioral methods at the winter Olympic games . Behavior Therapy, 1977, 8, 283-284.
16.
Thomas, D. R. , Becker, W. C., & Armstrong, M.Production and elimination of disruptive classroom behavior by systematically varying teacher behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968, 1, 35-45.
17.
Zimmerman, E. H. , & Zimmerman, J.The alteration of behavior in a special classroom situation. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 1962, 5, 59-60.
