Identifying reinforcers for use in treatment of automatically reinforced behavior

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2013

First Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen

Second Committee Member

Ahearn, William H.

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"Effective treatment of automatically reinforced problem behavior relies on the identification of reinforcing stimuli. In the current study, we evaluated two methods for identifying preferred stimuli, the paired stimulus (PS) and competing items (CI) assessments, and compared two interventions for treating automatically reinforced problem behavior, noncontingent reinforcement (NCR), and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO). A high preference item from each assessment format was included in both treatment types. Two individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder who exhibited motor stereotypy maintained by automatic reinforcement participated in the study. Therapists conducted four replications of both the PS and CI to assess the stability of each preference assessment format. The CI was stable for both participants wheras the PS was stable for one participant. Therapists also conducted DRO and NCR treatment sessions using a highly preferred item identified from both the PS and CI. Results, and implications for DRO and NCR treatment programs are discussed."

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