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COMPETITION BETWEEN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF ESCAPE BEHAVIOR
Author(s) -
Lalli Joseph S.,
Vollmer Timothy R.,
Progar Patrick R.,
Wright Carrie,
Borrero John,
Daniel Dency,
Barthold Christine Hoffner,
Tocco Kathy,
May William
Publication year - 1999
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 - 10.1901/jaba.1999.32-285
Subject(s) - reinforcement , extinction (optical mineralogy) , psychology , compliance (psychology) , competition (biology) , developmental psychology , social psychology , clinical psychology , ecology , paleontology , biology
We compared the effects of reinforcing compliance with either positive reinforcement (edible items) or negative reinforcement (a break) on 5 participants' escape‐maintained problem behavior. Both procedures were assessed with or without extinction. Results showed that compliance was higher and problem behavior was lower for all participants when compliance produced an edible item rather than a break. Treatment gains were achieved without the use of extinction. Results are discussed regarding the use of positive reinforcement to treat escape behavior.