RESUMO
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.
Assuntos
Comportamento Problema , Humanos , Condicionamento Operante , Extinção Psicológica , Esquema de Reforço , Reforço Psicológico , Terapia ComportamentalRESUMO
Token economies are one of the most commonly used behavior-analytic interventions. Despite literature supporting the use of tokens as tools for behavior change, little is known about the efficacy of tokens compared to that of the items for which they are exchanged. Results of previous research comparing the reinforcing efficacy of tokens and primary reinforcers have shown that both produce similar effects on responding. However, published findings have been confounded given the inclusion of primary reinforcers in the token-reinforcer test conditions. In this study, we established novel tokens as reinforcers. We then conducted a conditioned-reinforcer assessment using a tandem control to ensure that the tokens functioned as reinforcers. We used progressive-ratio schedules to compare the reinforcing efficacy of the tokens to high- and low-preference edibles that were also used as backup reinforcers. For both participants, we found that high-preference primary reinforcers maintained higher response frequencies than did tokens.
Assuntos
Condicionamento Operante , Reforço Psicológico , Reforço por Recompensa , Adolescente , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/psicologia , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Esquema de ReforçoRESUMO
This study examined strategies designed to increase the rate of targeted, low-probability mands in a concurrent operant environment. We examined the effects of schedule manipulations, prompt manipulations, motivating operation manipulations, and combined behavioral process manipulations. Increases in target mands were produced for all 8 participants. Schedule manipulations were effective in producing increased rates of targeted mands for 3 of 8 participants, whereas prompt manipulations were effective for 4 of 8 participants. Motivating operation manipulations were effective in producing increased rates of targeted mands for 2 of 8 participants and combined behavioral process manipulations were effective for the single participant exposed to the combination.
Assuntos
Controle Comportamental , Comportamento Verbal , Adolescente , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/psicologia , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto JovemRESUMO
An important skill for behavior analysts is creating graphs that clearly convey outcomes and conform to publication conventions. GraphPad Prism is software designed for creating scientific graphs, but no prior research has empirically evaluated training graphing skills using Prism. Two effective training methods are enhanced written instructions (EWI) and video modeling with voiceover instructions (VMVO), but no single-subject studies have compared the effects of these methods. In this study, we compared the efficacy and social validity of EWI and VMVO for training staff to create graphs using Prism. A single-subject design was employed to compare the effects of the methods on the individual performance of 11 graduate students. EWI and VMVO were both found to be effective, and more participants chose to use EWI.
Assuntos
Instrução por Computador/métodos , Software , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudantes , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Individuals who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders can have difficulty acquiring new skills, and teaching procedures found to be efficient with 1 individual may not be efficient with others. However, relatively little research has evaluated methods to identify efficient, individualized response-prompt and prompt-fading procedures. We evaluated an assessment of multiple response prompts and prompt-fading procedures with 10 individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. The prompt types assessed were verbal and gestural, model, and physical. Prompt-fading procedures assessed were least to most, most to least, and a progressive delay. Each assessment was conducted at least twice, and the findings of both prompt-type and prompt-fading assessments were generally reliable. A final validity test showed the assessment outcomes to have generality that may extend to other clinically significant responses.
Assuntos
Transtornos Globais do Desenvolvimento Infantil/psicologia , Sinais (Psicologia) , Aprendizagem Seriada , Ensino/métodos , Adolescente , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Reforço Psicológico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Continuous and discontinuous data-collection methods were compared in the context of discrete-trial programming. Archival data sets were analyzed using trial sampling (1st 5 trials, 1st 3 trials, and 1st trial only) and session sampling (every other session, every 3rd session, and every 5th session). Results showed that trial sampling systematically underestimated the number of sessions and days to mastery and overestimated the number of sessions and days to the 1st independent response. Session sampling systematically overestimated both sessions and days to mastery and sessions and days to the 1st independent response. A time-savings analysis was included to evaluate empirically how much time would be saved by using each sampling method. Results suggested that data sampling would produce relatively minimal time savings.
Assuntos
Coleta de Dados/métodos , Apresentação de Dados , Aprendizagem , Humanos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Five individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities participated in paired-stimulus preference assessments during repeated baseline probes. All subjects initially showed a pronounced bias by typically selecting the stimulus placed in either the left or right position. Biased responding for 3 subjects was eliminated when training trials were conducted in which a stimulus of known lesser quality was presented as one of the choices. Reinforcer-quality training was unsuccessful for 2 subjects, as was a condition in which reinforcer magnitude was modified to favor unbiased responding. These subjects' biased responding was eliminated only when a correction procedure (repetition of error trials) was implemented.
Assuntos
Transtorno Autístico/terapia , Terapia Comportamental/métodos , Viés , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/terapia , Adolescente , Adulto , Aprendizagem por Associação , Transtorno Autístico/fisiopatologia , Criança , Comportamento de Escolha , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estimulação Luminosa , Reforço Psicológico , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
Graphic display of clinical data is a useful tool for the behavior-analytic clinician. However, graphs can sometimes be difficult to create. We describe how to access and use an online interactive tutorial that teaches the user to create a variety of graphs often used by behavior analysts. Three tutorials are provided that cover the basics of Microsoft Excel 2007 or 2010, creating graphs for clinical purposes, and creating graphs for research purposes. The uses for this interactive tutorial and other similar programs are discussed.
RESUMO
This study evaluated how children who exhibited functionally equivalent problem and appropriate behavior allocate responding to experimentally arranged reinforcer rates. Relative reinforcer rates were arranged on concurrent variable-interval schedules and effects on relative response rates were interpreted using the generalized matching equation. Results showed that relative rates of responding approximated relative rates of reinforcement. Finally, interventions for problem behavior were evaluated and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and extinction procedures were implemented to increase appropriate behavior and decrease problem behavior. Practical considerations for the application of the generalized matching equation specific to severe problem behavior are discussed, including difficulties associated with defining a reinforced response, and obtaining steady state responding in clinical settings.
Assuntos
Transtornos do Comportamento Infantil/psicologia , Comportamento de Escolha , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/complicações , Modelos Psicológicos , Resolução de Problemas , Esquema de Reforço , Criança , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Estatísticos , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Reforço Psicológico , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
This study compared the outcomes of three descriptive analysis methods-the ABC method, the conditional probability method, and the conditional and background probability method-to each other and to the results obtained from functional analyses. Six individuals who had been diagnosed with developmental delays and exhibited problem behavior participated. Functional analyses indicated that participants' problem behavior was maintained by social positive reinforcement (n = 2), social negative reinforcement (n = 2), or automatic reinforcement (n = 2). Results showed that for all but 1 participant, descriptive analysis outcomes were similar across methods. In addition, for all but 1 participant, the descriptive analysis outcome differed substantially from the functional analysis outcome. This supports the general finding that descriptive analysis is a poor means of determining functional relations.
Assuntos
Agressão , Transtornos do Comportamento Infantil , Comportamento Social , Estatística como Assunto/métodos , Adolescente , Transtorno Autístico , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Transtornos do Desenvolvimento da Linguagem , Masculino , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Meio Social , Gravação em Vídeo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Descriptive observations were conducted to record problem behavior displayed by participants and to record antecedents and consequences delivered by caregivers. Next, functional analyses were conducted to identify reinforcers for problem behavior. Then, using data from the descriptive observations, lag-sequential analyses were conducted to examine changes in the probability of environmental events across time in relation to occurrences of problem behavior. The results of the lag-sequential analyses were interpreted in light of the results of functional analyses. Results suggested that events identified as reinforcers in a functional analysis followed behavior in idiosyncratic ways: after a range of delays and frequencies. Thus, it is possible that naturally occurring reinforcement contingencies are arranged in ways different from those typically evaluated in applied research. Further, these complex response-stimulus relations can be represented by lag-sequential analyses. However, limitations to the lag-sequential analysis are evident.
Assuntos
Transtornos do Comportamento Infantil , Reforço Psicológico , Comportamento Social , Estatística como Assunto/métodos , Adolescente , Agressão , Atenção , Transtorno Autístico , Cuidadores , Criança , Coleta de Dados , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Jogos e Brinquedos , Meio SocialRESUMO
We describe a procedure for differentiating among potential precursor responses for use in a functional analysis. Conditional probability analysis of descriptive assessment data identified three potential precursors. Results from the indirect assessment corresponded with those obtained from the descriptive assessment. The top-ranked response identified as a precursor according to the indirect assessment had the strongest relation according to the probability analysis. When contingencies were arranged for the precursor in a functional analysis, the same function was identified as for target behavior, supporting the utility of indirect and descriptive methods to identify precursor behavior empirically.
Assuntos
Comportamento Autodestrutivo/fisiopatologia , Transtorno de Movimento Estereotipado/fisiopatologia , Criança , Humanos , Masculino , Probabilidade , Comportamento Autodestrutivo/diagnóstico , Comportamento Autodestrutivo/psicologia , SocializaçãoRESUMO
Variable reinforcement schedules are used to arrange the availability of reinforcement following varying response ratios or intervals of time. Random reinforcement schedules are subtypes of variable reinforcement schedules that can be used to arrange the availability of reinforcement at a constant probability across number of responses or time. Generating schedule values for variable and random reinforcement schedules can be difficult. The present article describes the steps necessary to write macros in Microsoft Excel that will generate variable-ratio, variable-interval, variable-time, random-ratio, random-interval, and random-time reinforcement schedule values.
Assuntos
Terapia Comportamental/métodos , Esquema de Reforço , Design de Software , Humanos , Motivação , Aprendizagem por Probabilidade , Distribuição AleatóriaRESUMO
In the current study, momentary time sampling (MTS) and partial-interval recording (PIR) were compared to continuous-duration recording of stereotypy and to the frequency of self-injury during a treatment analysis to determine whether the recording method affected data interpretation. Five previously conducted treatment analysis data sets were analyzed by creating separate graphic displays for each measurement method (duration or frequency, MTS, and PIR). An expert panel interview and structured criterion visual inspection were used to evaluate treatment effects across measurement methods. Results showed that treatment analysis interpretations based on both discontinuous recording methods often matched those based on frequency or duration recording; however, interpretations based on MTS were slightly more likely to match those based on duration and those based on PIR were slightly more likely to match those based on frequency.
Assuntos
Documentação/métodos , Transtorno de Movimento Estereotipado/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Transtorno Autístico/epidemiologia , Criança , Interpretação Estatística de Dados , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Variações Dependentes do Observador , Estudos de Amostragem , Transtorno de Movimento Estereotipado/diagnóstico , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The matching law was used to analyze whether the proportion of shots taken from two- or three-point range would match the proportional reinforcement rates produced by those shots when the reinforcement rate of three-point shooting was changed. Rule changes in 1994 and 1997 altered the distance of the three-point line in the National Basketball Association, which created a quasiexperimental reversal design, thereby naturally changing three-point reinforcement rates. The present data partially confirmed predictions made by the matching law, in that increases in the relative rate of three-point shots attempted corresponded to increases in the relative rate of three-point shots made.
Assuntos
Basquetebol , Competência Profissional , Desempenho Psicomotor , Humanos , Reforço Psicológico , Projetos de PesquisaRESUMO
Acquisition of verbal behavior is a major goal of interventions for children with developmental disabilities. We evaluated the effectiveness of manipulation of an establishing operation for functional discriminated mands. Four individuals with developmental disabilities participated in a training procedure designed to teach two separate mands for two separate preferred items. Participants were taught to mand using picture cards. Following training, the manipulation of the establishing operation was used to assess and establish discriminated manding. This manipulation involved providing free access to one of the preferred items, such that there should be no motivation to ask for it, while motivation to ask for the other item remained in place. Three of the 4 participants acquired discriminated manding using topographically similar responses (picture cards). One participant did not acquire a discriminated mand until topographically distinct mands were taught (vocal and picture card). Results suggest that discrimination training is not necessarily sufficient to teach discriminated manding when more than one picture card showing preferred items is used. In addition, manipulation of the establishing operation served as an appropriate assessment tool for the verification of discriminated manding as well as a possible training tool to establish discriminated manding.
Assuntos
Discriminação Psicológica/fisiologia , Ensino/métodos , Comportamento Verbal , Adolescente , Aprendizagem por Associação/fisiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Crianças com Deficiência/psicologia , Crianças com Deficiência/reabilitação , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Reconhecimento Visual de Modelos , Estimulação LuminosaRESUMO
We conducted functional analyses and identified reinforcers for problem behavior for three individuals with developmental disabilities. Based on results of the functional analysis, we evaluated the rate, probability, delay, and duration of reinforcement for problem and appropriate behavior during descriptive parent-child observations. Results showed that parameters of reinforcement, including rate, probability, delay, and duration may interact, and that evaluations of a single reinforcement parameter may be insufficient in describing response allocation. Hence, this study represents a movement toward a method for analyzing reinforcer dimensions, other than rate and probability, in a descriptive analysis.
Assuntos
Transtornos de Deficit da Atenção e do Comportamento Disruptivo/prevenção & controle , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento , Relações Pais-Filho , Reforço Psicológico , Agressão , Transtornos de Deficit da Atenção e do Comportamento Disruptivo/epidemiologia , Criança , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Variações Dependentes do Observador , Meio SocialRESUMO
Prior researchers have evaluated the efficacy of using the matching law to describe naturally occurring behavior-environment interactions. However, spurious matching could be obtained if the response and environmental event were correlated, even if the event did not reinforce the response. To assess the likelihood of obtaining spurious matching when relating attention and problem behavior, we evaluated the problem behavior of 3 participants for whom attention did not serve as a reinforcer for problem behavior in a functional analysis. Both the simple and generalized matching equations were used to examine matching relations extracted from descriptive observations that were conducted in the participants' classrooms. The results of aggregated matching analyses showed that the proportional rate of responding approximately matched the proportional rate of contiguous adult attention. Matching analyses conducted for all participants showed correlations between attention and problem behavior. These results demonstrate that spurious matching can be obtained, and they highlight the role of functional analyses in the analysis of naturally occurring matching relations.
Assuntos
Atenção , Comportamento Autodestrutivo/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Meio Ambiente , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Variações Dependentes do Observador , Reforço Psicológico , Comportamento Autodestrutivo/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A common deficiency in the verbal repertoires of individuals with autism and related disorders is the absence of socially appropriate vocal mands. The vocal mand repertoires of these individuals may be lacking in several respects: (a) The individual might engage in no mands whatsoever, (b) the mand might be topographically dissimilar to an appropriate response, (c) the mand might be only partially topographically similar to an appropriate response, and (d) the mand might occur only after prompting. Depending on specific deficiencies in an individual's repertoire, different procedures for establishing appropriate mands may be needed. The purpose of Study 1 was to evaluate an assessment prior to teaching vocal mands for 3 individuals with developmental disabilities. The assessment showed that 1 individual displayed partial utterances of mands, 1 displayed vocal mands after mands had been reinforced, and 1 displayed vocal mands when prompted. Thus, in Study 2, a different teaching strategy was tested for each individual. Results showed that the assessment information could be linked directly to mand training for all 3 participants.