AUTHOR Conditioning in Stuttering Therapy: Applications and MF-$0.65 HC-$6.58 *Behavior Change; Conference Reports; *Exceptional
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 081 139 EC 052 425 AUTHOR Starkweather, C. Woodruff, Ed.. TITLE Conditioning in Stuttering Therapy: Applications and Limitations. Publication No. 7. INSTITUTION Speech Foundation of America, Memphis, Tenn.. PUB DATE 70 NOTE 153p. AVAILABLE FROMSpeech Foundation of America, 152 Lombardy Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38111 ($1.00) EDRS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC-$6.58 DESCRIPTORS *Behavior Change; Conference Reports; *Exceptional Child Education; *Learning Theories; Operant Conditioning; Speech Handicapped; Speech Therapists; *Speech Therapy; *Stuttering ABSTRACT Presented are seven papers given at a conference on the application of behavior modification techniques to the treatment of stuttering. An introduction to the papers gives an overview of behaliior modification..The two papers of Part I present two approaches to stuttering therapy, one of which is based on operant c, conditioning and the other on two-factor learning theory. Part II provides a detailed account of an operant program and also an analysis of how one therapist scrutinized and described his own unique therapy in terms of learning theory. The two_approaches are evaluated in three papers of Part III which consider the whole person in the modification of stuttering behavior; problems of definition, measurement, and analysis in behavioral approaches to stuttering; and the question of how behavior modification can be integrated into psychotherapy; respectively.. The final part consists of a commentary which notes differences among participants over definition, levels of awareness, and measurement. Also included is a glossary of behavior modification terms. (DB) 4 CONDITIONING IN STUTTERING THERAPY: APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO EXILED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY SPEECH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Publication No. 7 4 FIRST PRINTING-1970 SECOND PRINTING-1972 Speech Foundation of America 152 Lombardy Road Memphis, Tennessee 38111 Additional copies of this booklet 81.00. Not Copyrighted Reproductionof thematerial in this booklet in whole or M part is encouraged. but in the interest of the truth it is requested that quotations be made plainly in connection with the context. To The Reader For many years it has been apparent that learning plays a very important role in creating and maintaining some, if not all, of the behaviors found in stuttering. While no agreement has been reached in this important matter, the recent emphasis upon conditioning procedures to modify or prevent stuttering has had 'a strong impact on the field of speech pathology. To explore the subject and to put this information about conditioning intothehands of practicingtherapists,this Foundation arranged for a conference of leading advocates of operant and classical conditioning therapy to meet with other eminent speech pathologists who had some pronounced reservations on the subject. We hoped to provide an objective, balanced point of view which would be of value to the clinician. This conference, lasting a week, was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and was concluded this year. Each participant, whose name is listed on the following two pages, was asked to prepare a paper on some phase of the subject and to be prepared to discuss all the contributions critically. The materialinthis book isthe result of these discussions and presentations. Although the participants were unable to reach agreement, we feel that by making available these revised papers along with a summary of the discussion by the Chairman, we offer the practicing therapist a better understanding of behavior modification through conditioning procedures. rite Foundation is dedicated to the cause of improving treatment of the stutterer and thisis our latest contribution. Earlier publications arc listed on the last page of this book. MALCOLM FRASER For the Speech Foundation of America Memphis, Tennessee Participants Stanley Ainsworth, Ph.D., Chairman AssociatedeanforResearchandGraduateStudiesand distinguishedprofessor of Speech Correction, University of Georgia. President (1960) and executive vice-president (1955-59) American Speech and Hearing Association. Richard Al. Boehm ler, Plt.D. Professor of speech pathology and audiology. Coordinator of Speech and Hearing Clinics, University of Montana. Consul tant, speech and hearing programs, Montana State Department of Public Instruction. Gene J. Brutten, Ph.D. Professor, Departments of Speech Pathology and Psychology, SouthernIllinoisUniversityFellow, American Speech and Hearing Association. Co-author "The Modification of Stuttering" and other publications. P. Ilelbert Damste41. D., Ph.D. Lector inFoniatrie, University of Utrecht, President of the Nederlandse VerenigingvoorFonctischeWeterschappen. Vice-President of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. Editor of Folk' Phoniatrica. Albert T. Murphy, Ph.D. Professor and chairman, Department of Special Education, Schools of Education and Medicine, Boston University. Author "Stuttering and Personality Dynamics" and other books. Participants Bruce P. Ryan, Ph.D. Research associate, Monterey Institute fcr Speech and Hearing. Associate pofcssor, Speech Department, University of Oregon. George H. Shames, Ph.D. Professor of speech and psychology. Director of the Graduate Training Program in Speech Pathology/Audiology, University of Pittsburgh. Joseph G. Sheehan, Ph.D. Professor of psychology, University of California, Los Angeles. Associate editor, Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders (1958.65), and Asha (1964-68). Editor, "Stuttering: Research and Therapy." C. Woodruff Starkweathcr, Ph.D., Editor Assistant professor, Communication Sciences, Hunter College, Head, Publications Department, and editorial manager, "Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders" (1965-1966), American Speech and Hearing Association. Charles Van Riper, Ph.D. Psychologist and speech pathologist, distinguished professor, Western Michigan University. Councilor (1950-53), honors of the American Speech and Hearing Association. Author "Speech Correction, Principles and Methods" and other books. Malcolm Fraser Director, Speech Foundation of America. Alb Table of Contents To the Reader Page 3 Names of Participants Page 4 Behavior Modification: An Overview, Charles Van Riper Page 9 PART I Exposition and Explanation Page 15 Operant Conditioning and Therapy for Stuttering Page 17 George H. Shames Two-Factoi Behavior Theory and Therapy Page 37 Gene J. Bruttcn PART H Example and Analysis Page 57 An illustration of Operant Conditioning Therapy for Stuttering...Page 58 Bruce P. Ryan A Behavioral Analysis of a Stuttering Therapy Page 77 P. Hclbcrt Damstc 6 PART III Examination and Evaluation Page 97 Stuttering, Behavior Modification, and the Person Page 99. Albert T. Murphy An Evaluation of Behavior Modification in the Treatment of Stuttering Page 111 Richard M. Bochmlcr Reflections on the Behavioral Modification of Stuttering Page 123 Joseph G. Sheehan PART IV Report and Commentary Page 137 Stanley Ainsworth Glossary Page 149 C. Woodruff Starkwcather 7 Behavior Modification: An Overview CHARLES VAN RIPER, Ph.D. Since its early beginnings, our profession has been built on a foundation of learning theory, and modern behavior modification constitutes only the latest storey of the edifice. In the 1930's we called ourselves the American Speech Correction Association and thought of ourselves as speech correctionists rather than as healers in the medical sense. Unlike the occupational and physical therapists we identified ourselves and our training centers not with the medical profession but with the schools and colleges and universities. Even today most of our workers find jobs in these settings. Our affiliation has always been closer to education than to medicine, to psychology than to psychiatry. We have always dealt with problems of learning andunlearning.Ourbasicfunctionhasbeentomodify communicative behaviors so that the people who came to us would be able to communicate more effectively. It is not surprising, then, to find that we arc now showing a lively interest in modern behavior theory and therapy. We have always hungered for better ways to help our clients. Unlike some other professions, we have a history of greeting new theories and technologies with enthusiasm rather than resistanceperhaps because we know how young we arc as a profession. We know we are all still pioneers. Being inveterate explorers, we are also pragmatists, practical people, much more interested in methods than in theories. We'll try anything if it seems to work, if it holds promise of helping our cases. Unfortunatelythiseagernessalso makes usabitunci:tical. Sometimes, we adopt new practices indiscriminately and apply them inappropriately. With only a superficial understanding of the basic information on which the new clinical procedures are based, we administer them unwisely, and then when they do not yield the expected success, we reject the innovations as hastily as we first accepted them. This book is designed to prevent this situation from occurringatleastasit ,-relates.to modern developmentsin conditioning therapy with stutterers. We hope to clarify the basic concepts of classical and operant conditioning as they apply to stuttering therapyand to do so critically. We feel that if we can help the clinician to understand both