Summary.This investigation was concerned to raise the level of self‐esteem in maladjusted children by the use of behaviour modification techniques. A small sample (N = 14) of maladjusted boys aged between 10 and 12 years was randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group and experienced individual extraction procedures and rewards. Only the experimental group experienced procedures, including modelling, instruction and contingent reward, designed to enhance behavioural self‐esteem as reflected in positive self‐referent verbal statements (PSRVS) and in overt behaviours related to self‐esteem (Behaviour Rating Form—BRF). Data collected during the treatment phase showed a substantial and highly significant increase in PSRVS in the experimental group.Post‐test analysis showed a significant difference in overt self‐esteem (BRF) between the two groups but failed to detect significant differences in other dependent variables, including self‐report of global and specific self‐esteem. The discussion examines the substantial gain made by both groups in global self‐esteem, together with the implications for work with maladjusted children of individual extraction time and consistent recording of p