TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of variable-time versus contingent reinforcement delivery on problem behavior maintained by escape
AU - Mevers, Joanna E.Lomas
AU - Fisher, Wayne W.
AU - Kelley, Michael E.
AU - Fredrick, Laura D.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Results of previous research indicate that the delivery of positive reinforcement (e.g., food) for an appropriate, alternative target response (e.g., compliance) or delivery of food on a time-based schedule can decrease problem behavior reinforced by escape, even when problem behavior continues to produce negative reinforcement (e.g., Lalli et al.,; Lomas, Fisher, & Kelley,). In this study, we compared the levels of both compliance and problem behavior when food and praise were delivered either contingent on compliance or on a time-based schedule. Results for 3 of the 4 participants showed that contingent delivery of preferred edible items and praise was more effective in both reducing problem behavior and increasing compliance compared to variable-time delivery of these same items. These findings are discussed in the context of motivating operations and competition between positive and negative reinforcement.
AB - Results of previous research indicate that the delivery of positive reinforcement (e.g., food) for an appropriate, alternative target response (e.g., compliance) or delivery of food on a time-based schedule can decrease problem behavior reinforced by escape, even when problem behavior continues to produce negative reinforcement (e.g., Lalli et al.,; Lomas, Fisher, & Kelley,). In this study, we compared the levels of both compliance and problem behavior when food and praise were delivered either contingent on compliance or on a time-based schedule. Results for 3 of the 4 participants showed that contingent delivery of preferred edible items and praise was more effective in both reducing problem behavior and increasing compliance compared to variable-time delivery of these same items. These findings are discussed in the context of motivating operations and competition between positive and negative reinforcement.
KW - functional analysis
KW - negative reinforcement
KW - noncontingent reinforcement
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U2 - 10.1002/jaba.110
DO - 10.1002/jaba.110
M3 - Article
C2 - 24764205
AN - SCOPUS:84902545402
SN - 0021-8855
VL - 47
SP - 277
EP - 292
JO - Journal of applied behavior analysis
JF - Journal of applied behavior analysis
IS - 2
ER -