Examining treatment for stereotypy in naturalistic contexts

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2020

First Committee Member

Ahearn, William H.

Second Committee Member

Bourret, Jason C.

Third Committee Member

Henley, Amy J.

Abstract

"Stereotypy is often targeted to decrease but some studies, like Colón et al. (2012), focused on reinforcing alternative behavior. The current study targets relevant behavior in simulated everyday contexts. Four contexts were targeted: mand initiation, tact training, independent leisure, and interactive leisure. The mand and tact training contexts involved training and building upon existing repertoires. The independent leisure and interactive leisure contexts involved incidental opportunities to engage in social behavior. Stereotypy and relevant behavior in each context (mands, tacts, etc.) were both measured across all contexts prior to providing consequences following stereotypy. With both participants, we did not need to introduce consequences in at least two of the four contexts due to low levels of stereotypy. When consequences were implemented, stereotypy decreased in all three contexts across both participants."

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