Thinning the schedule of high-quality reinforcement for prompted responses in a differential reinforcement procedure
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
Date Completed
2016
First Committee Member
Karsina, Allen
Second Committee Member
Thompson, Rachel
Third Committee Member
MacDonald, Rebecca
Abstract
"Previous research indicates that differential reinforcement (DR) of independent responding may increase the likelihood of independent responses while minimizing prompted responses for individuals who display prompt dependency. In this study, we evaluated the effect of reinforcer quality as well as the schedule of high-quality reinforcer delivery for prompted responding in a DR procedure. Three different reinforcement procedures were implemented across discrete trial skill acquisition sessions using an adapted alternating treatments design for 3 individuals diagnosed with autism. In abrupt DR (ADR), independent responses were reinforced with a high-quality reinforcer while prompted responses were reinforced with a low-quality reinforcer. In gradual DR (GDR), high-quality reinforcers were delivered for prompted responses on a gradually thinning schedule, and on a constant schedule for correct independent responses. In nondifferential reinforcement (NDR), any correct response was reinforced with high-quality reinforcers. While ADR resulted in slightly faster acquisition for one participant who did not display prompt dependency, GDR resulted in faster acquisition for a participant who did display prompt dependency. For another participant displaying prompt dependency, acquisition did not occur in any condition. These results suggest that gradually fading reinforcement quality for prompted correct responses provides no notable improvement for individuals who do not display prompt dependency, but may be beneficial for individuals who do display prompt dependency."
Recommended Citation
Hawk, Margaret, "Thinning the schedule of high-quality reinforcement for prompted responses in a differential reinforcement procedure" (2016). Master’s Theses - College of Arts and Sciences. 103.
https://digitalcommons.wne.edu/castheses/103
