An investigation of the effects of a systematic behavior modification program on the verbal interaction of classroom teachers and its relationship to teachers' students' self-concept

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a ten week (30 hour) systematic behavior modification program for classroom teachers had an effect on the verbal interaction of these classroom teachers.

A second part of this study sought to determine if this verbal change had an effect on the se1f-concept of the teachers' students. A , graduate level, 3 credit hour course was offered to Pulaski County, Virginia classroom teachers, and was based on the Robert Carkhuff model of communications.

Ten teachers chosen at random from the class of 40 were selected for the experimental teachers. Ten teachers within the county not enrolled in the class were chosen at random for the control teachers. Ten students were also chosen at random (five boys and five girls) from each of these experimental and control teachers.

The instruments used to collect the data were the Flanders Interaction Analysis System for the teachers; and the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, "How I Feel About Myself," was administered to the experimental and control teachers' students.