Date of Award
10-2021
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Applied Behavior Analysis: M.S.
Department
Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy
College
School of Health and Human Services
First Advisor
Michele Traub, chair
Second Advisor
Odessa Luna
Third Advisor
Kimberly Schulze
Fourth Advisor
Benjamin Witts
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
summer camp, behavior skills training, noncompliance, response cost
Abstract
There is a lack of research on behavior skills training (BST) at summer camp. However, given the relatively unique setting, staffing, and programming requirements of camp, it cannot be assumed without study that BST will be as effective and feasible in the camp setting as it has been shown to be in other settings. The present study assessed the effectiveness of BST in training staff on the implementation of behavior management techniques for compliance. The participants in this study were four summer camp staff responsible for childcare at a small children’s camp. A multiple probe research design was used to assess the effect of BST on providing effective instructions, delivering enthusiastic praise and reinforcement for compliance, and using response cost procedures for noncompliance. Data were recorded on participants’ implementation of these procedures during baseline and then following BST. Data were also collected on a second, unrelated, though similar, behavior as a means of experimental control. Results indicate that the target behavior increased during the post-BST phase for all participants, while the control behavior remained relatively constant. In addition, camper noncompliance decreased from baseline to post-BST for all participants. These results corroborate findings on BST and response cost in other settings and extend this research into the camp setting.
Recommended Citation
Ziegler, Naomi, "Improving Staff Management of Camper Behavior Using Behavior Skills Training at Summer Camp" (2021). Culminating Projects in Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy. 87.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cpcf_etds/87
