Evaluation of the stimulus functions of tokens under clinically common schedule values

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2014

First Committee Member

Bourret, Jason

Second Committee Member

Sassi, Jessica

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"Token schedules of reinforcement are implemented frequently in clinical settings for both behavior management and skill acquisition. Some basic research has shown, however, that token and chained schedules can suppress response rates and increase preratio pausing. Although these effects have been demonstrated with nonhumans at relatively high schedule values, they have not been investigated with human participants at clinically common schedule values. In the present study response rates and preratio pausing were compared under token and tandem schedules of reinforcement. First, a clinically common schedule value was implemented followed by a larger schedule value, equivalent to the schedules in which early component response suppression was observed in basic research. For one participant, no differences in response rate were observed between token and tandem schedules under both the clinically common and large schedule values. Orderly preratio pauses were observed under all schedule manipulations for this participant. Longer preratio pauses were observed during the initial component relative to subsequent components for both schedule types and longer preratio pauses were observed under large schedule values. For the remaining participant, a suppression of response rate and increased preratio pauses were observed during the early components of the token schedule relative to the tandem schedule under the large schedule values evaluated. This finding replicates previous research that has shown early component response suppression occurring at relatively large schedule values."

This document is available upon request to Western New England University faculty, students, and staff. Please contact D'Amour Library at for access.

Share

COinS