Controlling pica by components of an overcorrection procedure.
Previous studies have shown that pica, the ingestion of inedible objects, can be effectively controlled in mentally retarded subjects using a two- or three-component overcorrection procedure or with one of these components in conjunction with another response-reduction procedure, differential reinforcement of other behavior. The present study showed that one of the components, oral hygiene, could eliminate pica by 2 retarded subjects when used alone. Although oral hygiene was the most effective component, each of the other components, tidying and personal hygiene, did decrease pica. In a later phase we found that a number of different therapists could easily and effectively implement the oral hygiene procedure.
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010056:Overlearning; D010842:Pica / Q000628:therapy*