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Journal of applied behavior analysis
06, 2023;56 (3): 623-637.

Concurrent schedules of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior in the treatment of problem behavior without extinction.

Chelsea R Fleck, Jason C Bourret, Emma R Jehle
Author Information
  1. Chelsea R Fleck: New England Center for Children, Southborough, MA, USA. ORCID
  2. Jason C Bourret: New England Center for Children, Southborough, MA, USA.
  3. Emma R Jehle: New England Center for Children, Southborough, MA, USA.
PMID: 37088926 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.987

Abstract

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) without extinction is an effective intervention for reducing problem behavior maintained by socially mediated reinforcement, particularly when implementing dense schedules of reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Thinning schedules of reinforcement for an alternative response may result in resurgence of problem behavior. Resurgence may be of particular concern in the treatment of problem behavior without extinction because problem behavior that resurges is also likely to encounter reinforcement and thus can be expected to maintain. In the present investigation, we compared the effectiveness of single and concurrent DRA schedules in decreasing the probability of resurgence when problem behavior continues to produce reinforcement throughout all phases of the evaluation. Concurrent DRA schedules reduced or eliminated the likelihood of resurgence compared with a single DRA schedule during a treatment challenge.

Keywords

concurrent schedules differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction problem behavior relapse resurgence

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MeSH Term

Humans
Problem Behavior
Conditioning, Operant
Extinction, Psychological
Reinforcement Schedule
Reinforcement, Psychology
Behavior Therapy
Journal Article
Article has an altmetric score of 4

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