Abstract
Signals during delays to reinforcement may lessen reductions in responding that typically occur when there is a delay between a response and its reinforcer. Sparse applied research has been devoted to understanding the conditions under which responding may be maintained when delays to reinforcement are introduced. We evaluated the extent to which providing signals during delay fading affected responding in the context of differential reinforcement of communication responses. Three individuals were exposed to gradually increasing signaled and unsignaled reinforcement delays in multiple-schedule and/or withdrawal designs. Results for 2 of 3 participants suggested that (a) the presence of signals facilitated response maintenance under delayed reinforcement and (b) coordinated basic and applied research may advance both conceptual understanding and clinical outcomes of delayed reinforcement.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-122 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords
- Communication
- Delay fading
- Delayed reinforcement
- Functional communication training
- Signaled delays
- Stimulus control
- Translational research
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience