The effects of signaling stimulus presentation during noncontingent reinforcement

J Appl Behav Anal. 2007 Winter;40(4):725-30. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2007.725-730.

Abstract

The effects of signaling the return of items or attention during treatment with noncontingent reinforcement were examined. First, functional analyses showed that the problem behavior exhibited by 2 teenagers with developmental disabilities was sensitive to social positive reinforcement. Next, delivery of the stimulus that maintained problem behavior on a fixed-time (FT) schedule was compared to a condition in which the removal of the stimulus during the same FT schedule was immediately preceded by a statement indicating that the stimulus would be returned and the initiation of a digital timer. Results show that the FT schedule reduced problem behavior, and the addition of an informative statement and a timer further decreased problem behavior.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attention
  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Reaction Time
  • Reinforcement Schedule*
  • Reinforcement, Psychology*
  • Seasons