Relations between rate of negative reinforcement and the persistence of task completion

Patrick W Romani; Joel E Ringdahl; David P Wacker; Nicole H Lustig; Kelly M Vinquist; John Northup; Alexandra M Kane; Deva P Carrion

doi:10.1002/jaba.252

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Relations between rate of negative reinforcement and the persistence of task completion

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Relations between rate of negative reinforcement and the persistence of task completion

Patrick W Romani, Joel E Ringdahl, David P Wacker, Nicole H Lustig, Kelly M Vinquist, John Northup, Alexandra M Kane and Deva P Carrion

Journal of applied behavior analysis, Vol.49(1), pp.122-137

03/2016

DOI: 10.1002/jaba.252

PMID: 26412807

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Abstract

Research has shown that differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) can be an effective intervention to address problem behavior maintained by negative reinforcement emitted by young children. However, few studies have evaluated the variables that are related to long-term maintenance (i.e., persistence) of treatment effects. Research on behavioral persistence predicts that the rate of reinforcement provided for a target behavior is correlated with its persistence when challenged. There were 2 purposes of the current investigation. First, we evaluated the effects of the rate of negative reinforcement on the persistence of task completion. Second, we applied the findings regarding rate of reinforcement to a treatment context for 3 participants who engaged in destructive behavior that was reinforced by escape from demands. Results were evaluated within a multielement design and indicated that the rate of negative reinforcement had a moderate influence on the persistence of task completion. These results contribute to the existing literature by extending analyses of persistence to treatment contexts.

Aggression - physiology

Child Behavior Disorders - rehabilitation

Extinction, Psychological

Humans

Reinforcement (Psychology)

Autism Spectrum Disorder - rehabilitation

Child, Preschool

Female

Male

Child

Behavior Therapy - methods

Details

Title: Subtitle: Relations between rate of negative reinforcement and the persistence of task completion
Creators: Patrick W Romani - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Joel E Ringdahl - SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE
David P Wacker - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Nicole H Lustig - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Kelly M Vinquist - PLAINFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
John Northup - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Alexandra M Kane - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Deva P Carrion - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of applied behavior analysis, Vol.49(1), pp.122-137
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1002/jaba.252
PMID: 26412807
ISSN: 0021-8855
eISSN: 1938-3703
Language: English
Date published: 03/2016
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Record Identifier: 9983993200602771

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11 Times Cited - Web of Science