Roger McIntire

Dr. Roger McIntire is a recognized child and family counseling expert. Having made significant strides in the research of student motivation and parenting practices, McIntire has been published by the Journal of Behavioral Education, American Journal of Psychology, and Psychology Today, among others. He has written eight books, available worldwide in eight languages. He has been a consultant and teacher of teachers in preschools, grade schools, high schools and colleges and serves as parenting editor and member of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies Board of Directors.
Research and education
Dr. McIntire received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1958 from Northwestern University. At Louisiana State University, he went on to receive his M.A. in Experimental Psychology in 1960, followed by his Ph.D. in the same field in 1962. His research deals with the areas of infant vocalizations, eating problems, strategies in elementary school teaching, high school motivation, and college retention, and is encompassed in over 100 published articles.
He began his research career working with animals through grants from the National Institutes of Health. He earned a name for himself working with brain stimulation and positive reinforcement techniques. In 1964, he worked with the U.S. Army Limited War Laboratories to study and train reconnaissance dogs in Vietnam.
In another study funded by an NIH grant, Dr. McIntire studied the effects of small doses of carbon monoxide in behavior. Lab rat behavior patterns and responses to learned behaviors were studied both with and without trace amounts of carbon monoxide. The study found that amounts of carbon monoxide equal to the amount that drivers often encounter on the road can affect response time and ability to learn.
Dr. McIntire’s studies expanded to cover positive reinforcement and conditioned responses. These published studies helped lay the groundwork for future experimentation into conditioned and operant responses.
After working in this field, Dr. McIntire became interested in behavior analysis in the area of childrearing. Conversations with Dr. Donald Pumroy, director of the University of Maryland’s school psychology program, and Dr. Leo Walder, clinical psychologist at American University, inspired Dr. McIntire to apply his knowledge of positive reinforcement into this field. In 1970, Dr. McIntire began studying the importance of parental reactions to children learning social and family skills.
He began working both as a counselor for families and a consultant in the creation of effective programs for children and teens, especially in schools. He implemented a number of successful programs focused on student tardiness, completion of class work, and student retention. In a study for the University of Maryland aimed at increasing student retention, Dr. McIntire addressed many of the academic and nonacademic factors that impact student success, and compared these to the traditional university admission formula. He also examined existing programs and their effectiveness in retaining students. Other programs, run at elementary and high schools, focused on the use of incentives to increase student participation. Some of this research is documented in an article published in the Journal of Behavioral Education discussing use of behavioral principles in schools. Many of his experiences and findings also served as inspiration for his books on parenting.
Teaching
In 1962, Dr. McIntire began teaching at the University of Maryland. He started as an assistant professor, continuing on to serve as a professor of psychology, then as associate professor in 1966. During his sabbatical year in 1975, he was honored as a visiting professor at the University of Cardiff in Wales. Dr. McIntire served as Associate Dean from 1987 until 1991, during which he directed campus-wide programs to help students succeed as well as annual summer workshops for parents. After this appointment he returned to teaching, and worked as a Professor of Counseling and Professor of Clinical Psychology. Currently, Dr. McIntire, professor emeritus, is president of Summit Crossroads Press and ParentSuccess.com.
During his time at the University of Maryland, Dr. McIntire acted as major professor for over 50 Ph.D. candidates and taught over 13,000 students in Psychology 100 alone.
Awards
In 2001, Dr. McIntire received the Award for Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. In addition he has received the Maryland Excellence in Teaching Award and The National Science Foundation’s Faculty Fellowship on Societal Problems, allowing him to teach as a visiting professor in Britain.
Books
*Raising Good Kids in Tough Times: 7 Crucial Habits for Parent Success (1999)
*College Keys: Getting In, Doing Well, and Avoiding the 4 Big Mistakes (1998)
*Enjoy Successful Parenting: Practical Strategies for Parents of Children 2-12 (1995)
*Losing Control of Your Teenager: 10 Rules for Raising an Adult While Keeping a Friend (1985)
*Teaching Behavior Modification (1976)
*Child Psychology: A Behavioral Approach to Everyday Problems (1975)
*For Love of Children (1970)
Column
Dr. McIntire currently manages the Parenting section of the Cambridge Center’s website, where he posts tips on parenting and responds to parent help queries. His parenting tips also appear on ParentSuccess.com.

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