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| Evaluation of Antecedent-based Interventions for Problem behavior Maintained by Social Reinforcement |
| Sunday, May 24, 2009 |
| 9:00 AM–10:20 AM |
| North 128 |
| Area: DDA/AUT; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| Chair: Eileen M. Roscoe (New England Center for Children) |
| Discussant: Richard G. Smith (University of North Texas) |
| CE Instructor: Dawn Bailey, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: Because consequent-based interventions (e.g., extinction) may not always be practical, it is important to evaluate antecedent-based interventions either alone or as additional enhancements to consequent-based manipulations. This symposium will include three papers describing various refinements or extensions of antecedent-based interventions for treating problem behavior maintained by social positive or social negative reinforcement. The first paper, delivered by Stephen Walker, will present data evaluating the immediate and subsequent effects of NCR (attention), while the schedule is systematically faded, for a participant with attention-maintained problem behavior. The second paper, delivered by Jill Harper, will discuss data evaluating a series of antecedent-based interventions, including vicarious reinforcement, conditioning of social interaction as a reinforcer, and stimulus fading, for treating problem behavior maintained by social avoidance. The third paper, delivered by Lynlea Longworth, will review data comparing the relative effects of NCR without extinction, using maintaining reinforcers versus arbitrary reinforcers, for reducing problem behavior maintained by social reinforcement. Rick Smith will serve as discussant and will highlight potential contributions, concerns, and future directions, associated with each of the papers presented. |
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| Immediate and Subsequent Effects of Fixed-Time Delivery of Reinforcement on Problem Behavior Maintained by Attention |
| STEPHEN F WALKER (University of North Texas), Joseph D. Dracobly (University of North Texas), Richard G. Smith (University of North Texas), Lauren A Cherryholmes (AdvoServ), Bailey Devine (University of North Texas), Nicole G Suchomel (University of North Texas), Claire Anderson (University of North Texas), Jessica Hobbs (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: A functional analysis indicated that access to attention was the probable maintaining variable for problem behavior exhibited by a woman with developmental disabilities. The effects of fixed-time (FT) attention were evaluated using a three component, mixed schedule of reinforcement. In components 1 and 3, FR1 (attention) was in effect for problem behavior; in component 2 attention was delivered according to FT schedules. Initial FT values began with continuous attention, and were faded to FT 7 min. Results showed suppression of problem behavior during the second component across FT values, as well as lower response measures in the 3rd (FR1) component relative to the 1st (FR1) component. Implementation of the FT schedule across components resulted in increases in problem behavior relative to previous implementations of the FT treatment. Therefore, an analysis of potential effects of the FR1 components on responding during the FT component was conducted. |
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| Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior Maintained by Social Avoidance |
| JILL M. HARPER (University of Florida), Brian A. Iwata (University of Florida), Erin Camp (University of Florida) |
| Abstract: Problem behavior maintained by social-negative reinforcement typically involves escape from a specific type of social interaction—the presentation of task demands. Some individuals, however, may exhibit a more general form of social avoidance in which problem behavior occurs in the presence of a wider range of social interactions. Although social avoidance might be inferred from unusual response patterns during a functional analysis, it can be confirmed directly. This study involved the assessment and treatment of problem behavior maintained by social avoidance. Three participants exhibited high rates of problem behavior during the play or demand conditions of an initial functional analysis. A subsequent analysis was then conducted in which problem behavior produced escape from social interaction that did not include the presentation of any demands. A series of interventions was then implemented, which included vicarious reinforcement (via peer modeling), conditioning of social interaction as a reinforcer, and stimulus fading |
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| Noncontingent Reinforcement: A Comparison of Arbitrary and Maintaining Reinforcers |
| LYNLEA J. LONGWORTH (New England Center for Children), Eileen M. Roscoe (New England Center for Children), Nancy A. Perhot (New England Center for Children), Gesell Gavidia (New England Center for Children) |
| Abstract: Although noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) has been found effective for treating socially-maintained problem behavior, it is unclear whether NCR is effective in the absence of extinction and when reinforcers, other than those maintaining problem behavior, are delivered. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effects of NCR without extinction, using maintaining reinforcers versus arbitrary reinforcers, for reducing problem behavior maintained by social reinforcement. Four individuals, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, whose problem behavior was maintained by either attention (n = 2) or by escape from demands (n = 2) participated. Pre-assessments were conducted to ensure that the arbitrary reinforcer used functioned as a reinforcer for an arbitrary response, but did not maintain problem behavior. NCR using the maintaining reinforcer involved response independent delivery of either attention or escape, whereas NCR using the arbitrary reinforcer involved response independent delivery of the arbitrary reinforcer (an edible). During both types of NCR, extinction was not in effect. Results suggest that, for most participants, NCR using the maintaining reinforcer may be more effective than NCR using an arbitrary reinforcer. |
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