A review of reinforcement control procedures.
A demonstration of the effects of reinforcement requires comparison of response rates in the presence of a contingency with those in another condition that controls for the influence of extraneous variables. We describe several control conditions that have been used in evaluating the effects of positive and negative reinforcement. The methodological rigor and practical utility of each type of control condition are discussed, and recommendations for the use of these conditions are presented.
Thompson
Rachel H
RH
Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4001, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA. rthomps@ku.edu
Iwata
Brian A
BA
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology