Multiple Schedules Facilitate Rapid Noncontingent Reinforcement Schedule Thinning

Behav Anal Pract. 2022 Aug 23;16(1):185-193. doi: 10.1007/s40617-022-00709-5. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Abstract

We evaluated a noncontingent reinforcement treatment that included initial brief exposures to signaled alternation of availability and nonavailability of reinforcement, followed by rapid schedule thinning. Results confirmed findings from previous research (typically with differential reinforcement schedules) that establishing stimulus control across multiple treatment components facilitated schedule thinning. We discuss both the clinical utility of this procedure and the utility of stimulus control for making interventions more practical for clinicians.

Keywords: Multiple schedules; Noncontingent reinforcement; Schedule thinning.