A command is a short authoritative statement that demands instant compliance. Walker and Walker (1991) identify two types of commands: a) Beta commands involve vague and multiple directives, given simultaneously, and do not provide a clear criterion for compliance. Walker and Walker present the following example of a beta command, “Jimmy, your room is always such a mess! Why don‟t you clean it up instead of waiting for me to do it for you? I‟m so tired of always picking up after you!” b) Alpha commands involve a clear, direct, and specific statement without additional verbalization, and they allow a reasonable period of five to fifteen seconds for the child to respond. Alpha commands are short (ten words or less) and they tell the child exactly what to do; for example, “Pick up all the toys from the floor and put them on the shelf.” Beta commands lower the rate of compliance; alpha commands increase compliance.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 07:53:44 +0000
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