Abstract: | Briefly trained 22 student nurses in both reinforcement and traditional psychotherapeutic techniques. Each nurse saw 2 chronic schizophrenic patients, 1 hr. daily for 7 wk. and used reinforcement with 1 and traditional techniques with the other. Each pair of Ss were matched on the Hospital Adjustment Scale (HAS) before treatment. Posttreatment HAS scores and improvement ratings by R. P. Knight's criteria showed significant improvement for reinforcement but not traditional methods. Ss' estimates of self-concept before and after treatment showed improvement with both techniques. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |