Skip to main content
Article
Brief Report: Compliance in the Classroom: Using the "Thumbs Up" Procedure to Increase Students Compliance to Teacher Requests
Behavioral Interventions
  • Margaret Glass, Minnesota State University - Mankato
  • Daniel Houlihan, Minnesota State University - Mankato
  • Michael Fatis, Minnesota State University - Mankato
  • Howard Levine, Minnesota State University - Mankato
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-1993
Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of a program designed to increase compliance with teacher commands in a regular 5th grade math class. A reversal design (A-B-B'-A-B') was employed. The teacher used a discriminative stimulus to signal the students as to the availability of an opportunity to earn a point towards a reinforcer. To receive the point the students were required to return the signal and initiate compliance. The entire class was involved in the program; however, data were recorded on two students, one identified by the teacher as noncompliant; the other served as a control. The results indicated that the program was effective in increasing initiation of compliance to teacher commands. However, serious questions were raised about the generalizability of such a program.

DOI
10.1002/bin.2360080406
Citation Information
Glass, M., Houlihan, D., Fatis, M., & Levine, H. (1993). Brief Report: Compliance in the Classroom: Using the "Thumbs Up" Procedure to Increase Students Compliance to Teacher Requests. Behavioral Interventions, 8(4), 281-288. doi: 10.1002/bin.2360080406