Multiple alternative responses and resurgence : does training sequence matter?

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2019

First Committee Member

Dickson, Chata A.

Second Committee Member

Karsina, Allen

Third Committee Member

Pinkston, Jonathan

Abstract

"This translational study evaluated effects of two methods of establishing alternative responses in the elimination phase of the establishment, elimination, extinction sequence on resurgence of a target response. One 16-year-old boy with autism served as the participant. A computer presented a task with 4 colored circles (target response, alternative response 1, alternative response 2, and control) that moved about the screen in an arbitrary pattern. The participant received small food pieces and points paired with a tone, upon clicking an active circle. First, the target response was established. Second, the target was put on extinction while the two alternative responses were reinforced in the elimination phase. Third, all responses were put on extinction as a test for resurgence of the target response. Resurgence was calculated as a proportion of mean target responding in all extinction sessions to mean responding in the last three elimination sessions. Resurgence was said to occur if this proportion was equal to, or greater than 1. The 3-phase sequence was experienced 4 times by the participant, allowing for 2 comparisons of the 2 conditions. Conditions differed in the sequence of reinforcement for the alternative responses during the elimination phase. In the alternating condition, clicks on each of the 2 alternative responses were reinforced every other session in the elimination phase. Alternative response 1 was reinforced in odd numbered sessions, and alternative response 2 was reinforced in even numbered sessions. In the serial condition, alternative response 1 was reinforced for several consecutive sessions before alternative response 2 was reinforced. Resurgence occurred in all conditions. In the first comparison, the use of alternating reinforcement to establish the alternative responses resulted in more resurgence. This effect was not replicated in the second comparison. The effects of repeated extinction within an individual, procedural limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed."

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