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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Translational Evaluation Of The Effects Of Alternative Reinforcer Preference On Resurgence, Madeleine D. Keevy May 2020

Translational Evaluation Of The Effects Of Alternative Reinforcer Preference On Resurgence, Madeleine D. Keevy

Theses & Dissertations

We assessed the differential effects of high- and low-preference stimuli as reinforcers during functional communication training (FCT) on resurgence of destructive behavior during extinction using a multielement design with the components signaled by color-coordinated stimuli. In baseline, analog destructive responding resulted in reinforcement in both components. Next, in the treatment phase, the therapist discontinued reinforcement for the analog destructive response and delivered a high-preference reinforcer for a functional communication response (FCR) in the HIGH component and a low-preference reinforcer for the FCR in the LOW component. In the resurgence test, the therapist discontinued reinforcement for both the FCR and analog …


Boundary Conditions Of Observational Learning In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Andrew Blowers May 2020

Boundary Conditions Of Observational Learning In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Andrew Blowers

Theses & Dissertations

Whether a child with autism spectrum disorder will exhibit observational learning may depend on their attention to a part of the observed contingency and the stimulus modalities of the observed contingency. The absence of observational learning due to one or more of these variables would constitute a boundary condition. We held attention constant and used a multiple probe design combined with a repeated acquisition design to tested observational learning across a diverse set of contingencies, which composed of a hidden-edible, hidden-toy, hidden-video, tact, receptive-identification , and intraverbal contingencies. During preteaching, two children with autism spectrum disorder showed observational learning with …


An Evaluation Of A Renewal-Mitigation Procedure For Inappropriate Mealtime Behavior, Sarah D. Haney May 2020

An Evaluation Of A Renewal-Mitigation Procedure For Inappropriate Mealtime Behavior, Sarah D. Haney

Theses & Dissertations

Renewal, the increase in problem behavior during extinction following a context change (e.g., transfer of intervention from clinic to home), may be particularly concerning during interventions for feeding disorders because multiple context changes are often necessary for intervention generality and maintenance (Podlesnik et al., 2017). In the current study, we tested for renewal and evaluated a renewal-mitigation procedure when we transferred the intervention from a therapist to a caregiver, from clinic to the home, and introduced Context A foods. We used an ABA arrangement to evaluate the generality of the renewal effect with 7 children with feeding disorders. Context A …


Sustaining Behavior Reduction By Transitioning The Topography Of The Functional Communication Response During Fct, Kayla R. Randall May 2020

Sustaining Behavior Reduction By Transitioning The Topography Of The Functional Communication Response During Fct, Kayla R. Randall

Theses & Dissertations

Initial rates of destructive behavior tend to be lower when behavior analysts select functional communication responses (FCRs) they can physically guide (e.g., a card-touch FCR). However, destructive behavior may recur at higher rates when FCR materials go missing than when the FCR no longer produces reinforcement. In Experiment 1, we extended prior research by demonstrating less resurgence of target responding when a vocal FCR remained available but no longer produced reinforcement compared to a condition in which neither the alternative response nor reinforcement was available. In contrast to these findings, Experiment 2 replicated other prior research showing that the ability …


Evaluating The Generality And Social Acceptability Of Early Friendship Skills, Ciobha A. Mckeown May 2020

Evaluating The Generality And Social Acceptability Of Early Friendship Skills, Ciobha A. Mckeown

Theses & Dissertations

The development of prosocial skills is considered pivotal to childhood development. The friendship unit of the Preschool Life Skills program teaches early prosocial skills likely to facilitate socially desirable behaviors in young children; however, the friendship unit is the most understudied unit and has produced modest, inconsistent outcomes across children. The current study aimed to evaluate procedures necessary to (a) teach friendship skills to four children, with and without developmental disabilities, in an applied context and (b) promote the use of the skills with a same-aged peer. Teaching five friendship skills in a one-on-one approach and adding tangible reinforcement, if …