Abstract
Study objective: The present study aimed (a) to evaluate effectiveness of a behavioral intervention for inappropriate talking during university classes, and (b) to examine maintenance of the intervention. Design: An intervention class and a control class; AB design with follow-up. Setting: 2 university classes. Participants: Intervention class, 123 students; control class, 121. Intervention: Punishment by prevention of the presentation of reinforcers was carried out using class cooperative points. Measure: Amount of inappropriate talking during class and satisfaction ratings by the students. Results: The amount of inappropriate talking decreased in the intervention class but increased in the control. However, maintenance of the effect could not be confirmed. Conclusion: The behavioral intervention was effective for decreasing inappropriate talking. Future studies should examine the effect of immediate feedback.
