Skip to main content
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 1977 Fall;10(3):549–552. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-549

What types of sex-role behavior should behavior modifiers promote?

R C Winkler
PMCID: PMC1311224  PMID: 924923

Abstract

Rekers and Lovaas (1974) reported a study using reinforcement procedures aimed at modifying the behavior of a 5-yr-old who engaged in cross-gender behavior. The use of traditional sex-role concepts in forming target behaviors is criticized and androgynous behavior is suggested as an empirically based alternative. The pathological nature of the behavior that the study was designed to prevent is also questioned, as is the ability to predict sex-role behavior from a 5-yr-old child's current behavior. These issues are raised in the context of the more general question, whom should the therapist serve?

Full text

PDF
549

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Bem S. L. The measurement of psychological androgyny. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1974 Apr;42(2):155–162. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Davison G. C. Homosexuality: the ethical challenge. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1976 Apr;44(2):157–162. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.44.2.157. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Rekers G. A., Lovaas O. I. Behavioral treatment of deviant sex-role behaviors in a male child. J Appl Behav Anal. 1974 Summer;7(2):173–190. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1974.7-173. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Siegelman M. Adjustment of homosexual and heterosexual women. Br J Psychiatry. 1972 May;120(558):477–481. doi: 10.1192/bjp.120.558.477. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Winett R. A., Winkler R. C. Current behavior modification in the classroom: be still, be quiet, be docile. J Appl Behav Anal. 1972 Winter;5(4):499–504. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1972.5-499. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis are provided here courtesy of Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

RESOURCES