The effects of response effort on safe performance by therapists at an autism treatment facility

J Appl Behav Anal. 2010 Winter;43(4):729-34. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2010.43-729.

Abstract

The effects of response effort on safe behaviors (i.e., glove wearing, hand sanitizing, and electrical outlet replacement) exhibited by therapists at an autism treatment center were examined. Participants were exposed to 2 or 3 levels of effort (i.e., high, medium, low) for each dependent variable. Results showed increased safe performance during the low-effort conditions relative to other conditions across all dependent variables for all participants.

Keywords: autism; human service settings; response effort requirement; safe performance.

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / therapy*
  • Gloves, Protective*
  • Hand Disinfection*
  • Health Facilities
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans