精神遅滞者(児)の行動変容へのオペラント原理適用の歴史的展望

抄録

Studies of the application of operant principle for modifying the behavior of the mentally retarded were reviewed historically, and the following informations were pointed out. (1) Fuller (1949) presented the first study in which the principles of operant conditioning were applied to the mentally retarded. (2) Although Gardner and Watson (1969) reported that over 70% of the articles in the area have appeared within the last 3 years, we could to find the same trend at present too. (3) In general, the majority of studies have been concerned with training the severely and profoundly retarded. (4) Operant techniques have been used mainly in the areas of simple behaviors such as self-dressing, self-grooming and toileting etc. (5) However, more recently some investigators have begun to apply the principle to academic behavior such as reading, writing and arithmetic. (6) Many of researchers reported successful results in their experiments, and they have had a conviction that the failure is with the techniques, not with the principle. (7) Token system has become increasingly popular since Birnbrauer introduced it in his experiment (1964). (8) In Japan, Yamaguchi (1967) published his first paper in which examples of research being conducted in the United States with the application of operant principle to deviant children, especially the retarded were introduced. (9) The application of operant principle to the mentally retarded is likely to be farther developed in the future, and seems to offer greater posibilities for education and research in the field of the mentally retarded.