Date of Award

4-1982

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Neil D. Kent

Second Advisor

Dr. Chris Koronakos

Third Advisor

Dr. Malcolm Robertson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This project was designed to teach children self-control through verbal self-instruction and self-reinforcement procedures prior to snack time in order to determine if they would learn to choose more nutritious foods during that period. Food facts and related health information were taught by the use of fictitious stories. In the experimental classroom the children heard stories, approximately 3 to 5 minutes long, that emphasized food facts and related health effects. After the stories, the children were allowed to go to a snack bar to select from "good and bad" foods. A set of questions and information was rehearsed prior to selection. This tutoring, (based on a verbal self-instruction procedure) followed the DISTAR training methods. The results of the study showed that storytelling increased nutritious food selection and verbal self-instruction training facilitated self-control.

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