A preliminary analysis of adaptive responding under open and closed economies.
In the current investigation, we evaluated the effects of open and closed economies on the adaptive behavior of 2 individuals with developmental disabilities. Across both types of economy, progressive-ratio (PR) schedules were used in which the number of responses required to obtain reinforcement increased as the session progressed. In closed-economy sessions, participants were able to obtain reinforcement only through interaction with the PR schedule requirements (i.e., more work resulted in more reinforcer access). In open-economy sessions, participants obtained reinforcers by responding on the PR schedule and were given supplemental (free) access to the reinforcers after completion of the session. In general, more responding was associated with the closed economy.
Roane
Henry S
HS
Marcus Institute, 1920 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. Roane@marcus.org
Call
Nathan A
NA
Falcomata
Terry S
TS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D014040:Token Economy; D018910:Video Games