Choices between positive and negative reinforcement during treatment for escape-maintained behavior.
Positive reinforcement was more effective than negative reinforcement in promoting compliance and reducing escape-maintained problem behavior for a child with autism. Escape extinction was then added while the child was given a choice between positive or negative reinforcement for compliance and the reinforcement schedule was thinned. When the reinforcement requirement reached 10 consecutive tasks, the treatment effects became inconsistent and reinforcer selection shifted from a strong preference for positive reinforcement to an unstable selection pattern.
DeLeon
I G
IG
Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. deleon@kennedykrieger.org
Neidert
P L
PL
Anders
B M
BM
Rodriguez-Catter
V
V
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*