Comparison of the effects of DRO and DRL schedules on problem behavior

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2016

First Committee Member

Sassi, Jessica

Second Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) and differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) are two schedules that may be used to reduce behavior; however, there are not many studies on the use of DRL to treat problem behavior. This study compares the effects of DRO and DRL schedules on problem behavior for two male students diagnosed with autism. A functional analysis was conducted to determine the variable maintaining the target response, prior to the introduction of DRO and DRL schedules. During DRO and DRL treatment sessions, the maintaining reinforcer was delivered at the end of a time interval, contingent on responding at or below the specified criterion rate (DRL) or the absence of behavior (DRO). A reversal with an imbedded multielement design was used to assess treatment effects. Data were also examined for the possible presence of extinction-induced side effects, such as extinction bursts and emotional responding, as well as the percent of reinforcers earned. DRO and DRL both produced similar reductions in behavior, and no extinction-induced side effects were observed for either participant. In addition, the DRL schedule did not consistently increase the percent of reinforcement obtained across participants."

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