Obtained versus programmed reinforcement practical considerations in the treatment of escape-reinforced aggression.
This investigation provides a preliminary examination of the difference between programmed and obtained reinforcement rates and its potential influence during treatment of aggression in a natural setting. Following a functional analysis that suggested that the aggression of a boy with autism was negatively reinforced, intervention was implemented by the boy's mother. Concurrent fixed-ratio (FR) 1 FR 1 schedules of escape were arranged for manding and aggression. When mands failed to compete effectively with aggression, obtained reinforcement ratios were calculated; these indicated that obtained reinforcement varied from the programmed schedule for aggression but not for mands. Increasing the rate of prompts for mands resulted in an increase in mands and a decrease in aggression to near-zero levels.
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
LeAnne
L
Johnson
Jennifer
J
McComas
Andrea
A
Thompson
Frank J
FJ
Symons
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D004924:Escape Reaction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013663:Teaching; D014743:Videotape Recording