Concurrent reinforcement schedules: behavior change and maintenance without extinction.
We evaluated the effects of concurrent schedules of reinforcement on negatively reinforced problem behavior and task completion with 3 children with autism. Results indicated that problem behavior occurred at high levels and relatively few tasks were completed when problem behavior produced a break (from tasks) and task completion produced either no consequence or a break. By contrast, problem behavior was eliminated and tasks were completed when problem behavior produced a break and task completion produced a break with access to preferred activities. Treatment gains were maintained without the use of extinction when the response requirement was increased and the schedule of reinforcement was thinned.
Hoch
Hannah
H
The Graduate Center, CUNY, USA. ch1hoch@aol.com
McComas
Jennifer J
JJ
Thompson
Andrea L
AL
Paone
Debra
D
D000374:Aggression; D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome