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The effects of variable‐time versus contingent reinforcement delivery on problem behavior maintained by escape
Author(s) -
Mevers Joanna E. Lomas,
Fisher Wayne W.,
Kelley Michael E.,
Fredrick Laura D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1002/jaba.110
Subject(s) - reinforcement , psychology , variable (mathematics) , time out , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , social psychology , psychotherapist , mathematical analysis , mathematics
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., 1999; Lomas, Fisher, & Kelley, 2010). 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.