Operant learning (R-S) principles applied to nail-biting. 1995

T M McClanahan
Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Department of Psychology, Culver City, California 90230, USA.

The principles of R-S learning were applied to a 32-yr.-old Caucasian woman to reduce the frequency and duration of fingernail-biting activity in a reversal-replication (ABAB) research design. The undesirable behavior, fingernail-biting which included frequency and duration, antecedents, and setting events, was recorded during a 28-day study. Self-monitoring recordings indicated that anxiety was the most prevalent antecedent. Through the use of a preliminary questionnaire and interview, increase in self-awareness was judged to be most effective in the extinction of the undesired behavior. The systematic desensitization techniques of deep muscle relaxation and Transcendental Meditation were used during the treatment phase.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009126 Muscle Relaxation That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position. Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D009259 Nail Biting Common form of habitual body manipulation which is an expression of tension. Onychophagia,Biting, Nail
D003216 Conditioning, Operant Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced. Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D003887 Desensitization, Psychologic A behavior therapy technique in which deep muscle relaxation is used to inhibit the effects of graded anxiety-evoking stimuli. Desensitization (Psychology),Desensitization, Psychological,Psychologic Desensitization,Psychological Desensitization,Desensitizations (Psychology)
D005108 Extinction, Psychological The procedure of presenting the conditioned stimulus without REINFORCEMENT to an organism previously conditioned. It refers also to the diminution of a conditioned response resulting from this procedure. Psychological Extinction,Extinction (Psychology),Extinctions (Psychology),Extinctions, Psychological,Psychological Extinctions
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001007 Anxiety Feelings or emotions of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster but not disabling as with ANXIETY DISORDERS. Angst,Anxiousness,Hypervigilance,Nervousness,Social Anxiety,Anxieties, Social,Anxiety, Social,Social Anxieties
D001364 Awareness The act of "taking account" of an object or state of affairs. It does not imply assessment of, nor attention to the qualities or nature of the object. Situation Awareness,Situational Awareness,Awareness, Situation,Awareness, Situational,Awarenesses,Awarenesses, Situation,Awarenesses, Situational,Situation Awarenesses,Situational Awarenesses

Related Publications

T M McClanahan
January 1970, Journal of applied behavior analysis,
T M McClanahan
September 1970, The Journal of school health,
T M McClanahan
February 1951, The Practitioner,
T M McClanahan
January 1968, Folia phoniatrica,
T M McClanahan
January 1978, American corrective therapy journal,
T M McClanahan
May 1994, Acta dermato-venereologica,
T M McClanahan
September 1988, Cutis,
T M McClanahan
January 1993, M.D. computing : computers in medical practice,
T M McClanahan
June 1971, Developmental medicine and child neurology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!