Reducing Children's Excessive Television Viewing and Assessing Secondary Changes

Abstract

In the first study, I recruited two families with children evidencing excessive television viewing. During the first phase of a multiple-baseline design, both families monitored their children's TV viewing. During the second phase, a token-actuated timer was placed on TV sets, and the children were given free access to tokens. In the next intervention phase, a token exchange was established in which tokens could be earned for desirable activities. The intervention was effective in reducing excessive TV viewing. Follow-up data indicated that the gains endured over time. In Study 2, I recruited a third family with a child who watched an excessive amount of TV. A similar intervention was once again effective, and changes in second-order positive behaviors were noted.