Effects of reinforcement magnitude on resistance to extinction

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2019

First Committee Member

Sassi, Jessica

Second Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Third Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen

Abstract

"Prior research on reinforcer magnitude has shown inconsistent effects on resistance to extinction. If magnitude affects resistance to extinction, then we can use these findings to establish methods that would promote the persistence of a functional communication response (FCR) under adverse conditions (e.g., extinction) to prevent the loss of an FCR. An individual with developmental disabilities was taught an FCR based on the results of a functional analysis. Next, the individual was given access to high magnitudes (120 s) and low magnitudes (20 s) of the reinforcer (access to preferred items) to determine if magnitude would affect the mand’s resistance to extinction. Reinforcement conditions were followed by extinction in a reversal design. Resistance to extinction was assessed in three different ways: change in rate, change in rate expressed as a proportion of the average rate from the preceding reinforcement condition, and cumulative frequency of responses across sessions. Interobserver agreement was collected by a second observer for 36% of sessions from the functional analysis, 40% of sessions from functional communication training, and 33% of magnitude and extinction sessions. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the persistence of the FCR during extinction following differing magnitudes."

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