title: The effects of extinction, noncontingent reinforcement and differential reinforcement of other behavior as control procedures.
abstract: Several techniques have been used in applied research as controls for the introduction of a reinforcement contingency, including extinction, noncontingent reinforcement (NCR), and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO). Little research, however, has examined the relative strengths and limitations of these "reversal" controls. We compared the effects of extinction with those of NCR and DRO in both multi-element and reversal designs, with respect to (a) rate and amount of response decrement, (b) rate of response recovery following reintroduction of reinforcement, and (c) any positive or negative side effects associated with transitions. Results indicated that extinction generally produced the most consistent and rapid reversal effects, with few observed negative side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Claudia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Dozier
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Samaha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003142:Communication; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D019370:Observation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012107:Research Design; D012759:Sheltered Workshops; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014040:Token Economy