Teaching join attention using social reinforcers : assessing generalization and maintenance of effects using multiple exemplar training
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
Date Completed
2012
First Committee Member
MacDonald, Rebecca
Second Committee Member
Dube, William
Third Committee Member
Karsten, Amanda
Abstract
"The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of multiple exemplar training and social reinforcement on the maintenance and generalization of joint attention initiations across toy classes. Participants were 2 typically developing children (TDC’s) and 2 children with autism spectrum disorder (CWA’s). After analyzing typical samples of joint attention initiations, a composite score was developed and used to evaluate joint attention initiations of the CWA’s. Gaze shifting and commenting were taught using social reinforcement in a multiple exemplar format. Training sessions were followed by probes of untrained stimuli both within and across toy classes. Results showed that the CWA acquired both gaze shifting and commenting using social consequences as reinforcers. Multiple exemplar training was also effective in facilitating acquisition within classes and joint attention maintenance during follow-up probes. Additionally, both participants generalized the acquired skills to a class of untrained stimuli. The implications of multiple exemplar training as a way to establish maintenance and generalization of training effects are discussed."
Recommended Citation
Monette, Brianne M., "Teaching join attention using social reinforcers : assessing generalization and maintenance of effects using multiple exemplar training" (2012). Master’s Theses - College of Arts and Sciences. 173.
https://digitalcommons.wne.edu/castheses/173
