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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Comparison Of Traditional And Culturally Sensitive Parent Training Of Functional Communication Training, Adriana Rodriguez Aug 2018

A Comparison Of Traditional And Culturally Sensitive Parent Training Of Functional Communication Training, Adriana Rodriguez

Thesis Projects

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of culturally sensitive interventions on parent training. Behavior-analytic services were provided to 3 Latino/Latina families that included children diagnosed with developmental disabilities whose problem behaviors were maintained by social reinforcement. Children were exposed to preference assessments and a functional analysis. Parents then were trained on the implementation of Functional Communication Training (FCT) using English as well as Spanish protocols. Data were collected on the percentage of correct steps completed by the parent as well as levels of child problem behavior. Culturally sensitive intervention does not impact parent training. This …


Assessment And Treatment Of Behavior Maintained By Automatic Reinforcement, Nicolette Yatros Jul 2018

Assessment And Treatment Of Behavior Maintained By Automatic Reinforcement, Nicolette Yatros

Thesis Projects

Two to four subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related disabilities will undergo a functional analysis to ensure hand-clapping is maintained by automatic reinforcement. A secondary analysis (sensory analysis) will be conducted to assess different stimuli that are sensory-stimulating. Finally, a function-based noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) procedure using sensory stimuli will be applied to reduce the target behavior, and the schedule of reinforcement will be thinned. We expect a decrease in hand-clapping when the function-based treatment is implemented. This research will further elucidate how NCR can impact behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement.


A Functional Analysis Of Three Treatments For Pica In A Naturalistic Play Environment, Jennifer Darrah May 2017

A Functional Analysis Of Three Treatments For Pica In A Naturalistic Play Environment, Jennifer Darrah

Capstone Projects

Pica is an eating disorder involving the ingestion of non-food items. In the current study, a functional analysis (FA) screening was conducted to confirm the pica of two subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was maintained by automatic reinforcement. Subsequently, three behavior-analytic treatments (i.e., verbal reprimand, noncontingent reinforcement [NCR], and functional communication training [FCT]) were systematically evaluated in an unstructured play environment using a multi-element design. Findings showed all three treatments decreased pica compared to pre-treatment levels; however, FCT was observed to consistently reduce the rate of pica for both subjects to near-zero levels. Results of this study support …


Functional Analysis And Treatment Of Self-Injurious Feather Plucking In A Black Vulture (Coragyps Atratus), Kristen L. Morris May 2017

Functional Analysis And Treatment Of Self-Injurious Feather Plucking In A Black Vulture (Coragyps Atratus), Kristen L. Morris

Thesis Projects

Feather plucking (FP) is a maladaptive behavior observed in captive avian species. This self-injurious behavior results in damage to and removal of feathers and skin tissue, resulting in animal welfare and financial consequences. The etiology and maintenance of FP have been hypothesized through medical and environmental processes, yet a definitive solution has not been found. The current study investigated the environmental variables maintaining the FP of a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), as well as evaluated a function-based treatment for this behavior. The behavior was found to be maintained by positive reinforcement in the form of contingent attention. Treatment …