The independent effects of contingent social and academic approval upon the musical on-task and performance behaviors of profoundly retarded adults

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1976; 13: 29-38.

Abstract: Used members of a music therapy "rhythm band" at a residential institution for the severely retarded as Ss in a 32-session study to determine the independent effects of social and academic approval rates on musical attentiveness and performance. A multiple baseline was used to isolate the effects of approval. Results indicate that (a) therapist approval was a potent reinforcer, (b) with time the residents became able to discriminate between social and academic reinforcements, and (c) high rates of social and academic approval resulted in a significant rise in attentiveness and performance scores, respectively.

Note: contingent social & academic approval rates; musical attentiveness & performance; severely & profoundly retarded adult members of music therapy rhythm band

Keyword(s): Profoundly mentally retarded; music therapy; severely mentally retarded; performance ; social approval; attention ; adults

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