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Journal of applied behavior analysis
06, 2021;54 (3): 984-1000.

Noncontingent reinforcement: Arbitrary versus maintaining reinforcers for escape-maintained problem behavior.

Zoe A Newman, Eileen M Roscoe, Nancy P Errera, Caleb R Davis
Author Information
  1. Zoe A Newman: Department of Psychology, Western New England University.
  2. Eileen M Roscoe: Department of Psychology, Western New England University.
  3. Nancy P Errera: The New England Center for Children.
  4. Caleb R Davis: Perkins School for the Blind.
PMID: 33667327 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.821

Abstract

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) involves the delivery of maintaining reinforcers on a time-dependent schedule and often includes extinction. However, arbitrary reinforcers may be equally efficacious during NCR without extinction for treating escape-maintained problem behavior. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research on NCR by evaluating the relative efficacy of NCR without extinction and comparing maintaining versus arbitrary reinforcers for 4 individuals with escape-maintained problem behavior. Two different NCR conditions, NCR using the maintaining reinforcer (escape) and NCR using an arbitrary reinforcer (an edible), were evaluated using multielement and reversal designs. Treatment effects varied across participants. Results for 2 participants showed a reduction in problem behavior during NCR without extinction with both the arbitrary and maintaining reinforcers. For 1 participant, results showed a reduction in problem behavior with both the arbitrary and maintaining reinforcers only when extinction was added to NCR. For the 4th participant, the maintaining reinforcer was effective during NCR without extinction, but the arbitrary reinforcer was ineffective.

Keywords

arbitrary reinforcer extinction negative reinforcement noncontingent reinforcement problem behavior

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MeSH Term

Behavior Therapy
Extinction, Psychological
Humans
Intellectual Disability
Problem Behavior
Reinforcement Schedule
Reinforcement, Psychology
Journal Article

Word Cloud

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