Effects of intercomponent intervals on pausing in rich-lean transitions

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2013

First Committee Member

Dickson, Chata

Second Committee Member

Ahearn, William

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"We examined effects of an intercomponent interval (ICI) on pausing during transitions between rich and lean components of a multiple schedule of reinforcement in 3 children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Schedule components (rich and lean) differed in terms of reinforcement schedule and magnitude and were strictly alternated, resulting in two types of transitions: rich-to-lean (RL) and lean-to-rich (LR). Pausing at the start of each component was evaluated across two conditions: 0-s ICI and 20-s ICI. For all three participants, the median pause duration in RL was generally greater than in LR transitions. This difference was greatest in the 0-s ICI condition, and was diminished when the 20-s ICI was in place. If ICIs are effective at decreasing pausing during RL transitions, scheduling ICIs (i.e., a short break from demands) may be effective in decreasing challenging behaviors occasioned by transitions in applied settings."

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