THE EFFECT OF A SELF-MANAGEMENT TRAINING PACKAGE ON THE TRANSFER OF AGGRESSION CONTROL PROCEDURES IN THE ABSENCE OF SUPERVISION

An aggression replacement and self-management training package reduced the frequency of aggressive behavior among four junior high adolescen ts identified as seriously emotionally disturbed (SED). During baselin e sessions, the students were covertly filmed as they stood unsupervis ed in front of the school cafeteria. The four subjects engaged in aggr essive behavior during 50% of the filmed intervals. These episodes inv olved provocation by other students, self-initiated provocation, or co ntinuing interaction between students once an aggressive episode had b egun. Treatment procedures included instruction, modeling, and role pl aying of aggression replacement skills. Self-management training inclu ded self-assessment, self-recording, and self-reinforcement. Following an 8-week period, subjects demonstrated substantial improvement in pr osocial skills without supervision. During reversal-to-baseline condit ions, aggressive behavior increased; however, reinstating treatment co nditions brought a return to prosocial behavior. Outcomes suggest that aggressive replacement skills may transfer and sustain more adequatel y using self-management.