Applied Behavior Analysis Commons^™

What Is An Extinction Burst?, Kristal Huffman

Capstone Projects

Abstract

This paper will explore the effects of extinction, specifically the extinction burst. Extinction is known to be an effective and necessary process in decreasing specific behaviors (Iwata, Pace, Kalsher, Cowdery, & Cataldo, 1990). During this process, side effects might occur and the extinction burst is one of those side effects. Extinction bursts might be a problematic side effect, especially during treatment of severe behavior. This paper will explore the extinction burst in detail as well as how the term is used in both the basic and applied literature. Next, an investigation of the extinction burst as a technical term …

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.

Using Response Card Technology To Reduce Disruptive Behavior In The College Classroom, Meera Aggarwal

Thesis Projects

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if response-card technology would decrease disruptive behavior (e.g., texting, surfing the Internet, sleeping) in the college classroom. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, a graduate classroom of 14 students from a small liberal arts college in the southeast participated. An alternating-treatments design was implemented comparing baseline (standard lecture) to Nearpod™ (an online question-feedback platform) and response cards. Results indicated neither intervention had a meaningful effect on disruptive behavior; however, the majority of students indicated a preference for Nearpod™. In Experiment 2, three participants were selected from an undergraduate class for observation. …

Teaching Children With Asd Intraverbal Responses About The Past, Jeanne Gonzalez

Thesis Projects

Research has demonstrated that responding to questions regarding past events is a developmental milestone typically reached by age three or four. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) might struggle with this skill in comparison to their neurotypical peers. This study describes a methodology for teaching subjects with ASD intraverbal responses about past events by systematically increasing delays between the presentation of target stimuli and the delivery of a question about the target stimuli. Probes of the terminal delay were conducted after each successive increase in delay. Results showed both subjects successfully responded to questions after a 30-min delay following some …

Generalized Reinforcement Effects On Manding: A Replication, Christina Rose Greco

Thesis Projects

Current research is split on findings of the functional independence of mands and tacts. Some studies have shown a response taught as a tact might emerge as a mand without training. The aim of this study was to replicate findings of Wallace, Iwata, and Hanley (2006) by creating conditions that facilitated the transfer of tacts to mands. The current study supported the functional dependence of verbal operants and found that after at least 3 sessions of exposure to the mand reinforcement contingency, the subject successfully emitted mands after being trained to tact. In extension, a functional assessment (FA) methodology was …

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 …

Evaluating Preference Stability Among Individuals With Alzheimer’S Disease, Sabrine Maali

Thesis Projects

In the behavior-analytic field, preference assessments are conducted to determine specific items to use as reinforcers to reduce aberrant behavior as well as increase appropriate behavior. We examined the consistency of preference-assessments results among individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) to ensure effective reinforcers are used in behavioral interventions. Specifically, we examined if identified reinforcers remained consistent for individuals with AD throughout the study or if preferences shifted. The experimental procedure consisted of a series of multiple-stimulus preference assessments without replacement (MSWO); data were analyzed for preference shifts. Results showed variability with one individual’s preferences, whereas the other individual’s preferences remained …