Does Teaching an Omnibus Mand Preclude the Development of Specifying Mands?
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Date
10-2020
Abstract
When problem behavior is controlled by a synthesized reinforcement contingency, a simple omnibus mand that yields access to all reinforcers simultaneously has been shown to effectively replace problem behavior. The question arises as to whether teaching an omnibus mand will preclude the acquisition of specifying mands for each of the combined reinforcers. In this study, after 3 students diagnosed with autism acquired an omnibus mand (“My way, please”) that yielded all identified reinforcers simultaneously, specifying mands (e.g., “All done,” “May I have my toys?” “Play with me”) were taught to yield each individual reinforcer (e.g., escape, tangibles, attention). Problem behavior was immediately eliminated for all children, and the omnibus mand was acquired quickly. Teaching an omnibus mand did not preclude acquisition of specifying mands for any learner and instead allowed for the acquisition of specifying mands once problem behavior had been effectively reduced.
Recommended Citation
Ward, Shannon N.; Hanley, Gregory P.; Warner, Christine A.; and Gage, Ellen E., "Does Teaching an Omnibus Mand Preclude the Development of Specifying Mands?" (2020). Student Work - College of Arts and Sciences. 81.
https://digitalcommons.wne.edu/casstudent/81
Original Citation
Ward, S. N., Hanley, G. P., Warner, C. A., & Gage, E. E. (2021). Does teaching an omnibus mand preclude the development of specifying mands? Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54 (1), 248-269. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.784
