An evaluation of time in establishing operation on the effectiveness of functional communication training

Nicole M. Derosa, Wayne W. Fisher, Mark W. Steege

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined whether different durations of exposure to relevant establishing operations (EO) during treatment of problem behavior affected treatment efficacy and response bursting. In Study 1, we compared 2 functional communication training (FCT) interventions. In the first treatment, we used a card touch as the target mand; this was associated with limited exposure to the EO because we could physically guide the mand at prescribed times. In the other treatment, we used a vocal response as the mand; this was associated with longer exposure to the EO because it was not possible to guide the response. In Study 2, we exposed participants to time-based reinforcement schedules that were yoked to the schedules of obtained reinforcement from the 2 FCT interventions in Study 1. Results indicated that limited exposure to the EO was associated with less response bursting, larger and more rapid reductions in problem behavior, and faster acquisition of the alternative mand.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)115-130
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of applied behavior analysis
Volume48
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2015

Keywords

  • differential reinforcement
  • establishing operations
  • extinction
  • functional communication training

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Applied Psychology

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