Comparison of two NCR procedures without extinction for escape-maintained problem behavior

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2013

First Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Second Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen

Third Committee Member

Bourret, Jason

Abstract

"NCR involves the delivery of reinforcers on a time-based schedule and often includes extinction. However, given practical limitations associated with the use of extinction, it is important to evaluate NCR without extinction. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research on NCR by evaluating the relative efficacy of NCR using maintaining reinforcers versus arbitrary reinforcers without extinction for two individuals with escape-maintained problem behavior. Two different NCR conditions, NCR using the maintaining reinforcer (escape) and NCR using an arbitrary reinforcer (an edible) were evaluated using multielement and reversal designs. Interobserver agreement data were collected for nearly 30% of sessions and averaged over 90%. Results indicated that both treatments were equally effective at reducing aggression for both participants. Increases in compliance were observed for one of two participants during the NCR (arbitrary) condition. NCR (maintaining) did not result in significant increases in compliance for either participant."

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