A comparison of passive and active music reinforcement to increase preacademic and motor skills in severely retarded children and adolescents

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1980; 17: 58-69.

Abstract: Compared the effectiveness of passive music reinforcement (contingent music listening, CML) and active music reinforcement (contingent instrument playing, CIP) in increasing preacademic and motor skills of 8 severely retarded Ss 8-18 yrs old. Because the established criteria included a consistent increase in behavior, both types of reinforcement were effective by definition. No significant differences were found between CML and CIP as to average number of sessions to criterion or average frequency of improved behavior. The similar positive effects of passive and active music reinforcement support the conclusions of the only previous study in this area. (19 ref)

Note: passive vs active music reinforcement; increase in preacademic & motor skills; severely retarded 8 18 yr olds

Keyword(s): Music therapy; motor skills; severely mentally retarded; reinforcement ; behavior change; auditory perception; school age children; adolescents

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