Differentially higher rates of aggression in treatment sessions occurred in
the presence of two staff members who had previously worked with the parti
cipant at another facility. Adding an edible reinforcer for compliance and
the absence of aggression in,sessions conducted by these two staff members
decreased aggression to rates similar to those obtained with less familiar
therapists. Results suggest that embedding positive reinforcement within a
demand context may reduce the aversiveness of therapists correlated with a
history of demand situations.