Analyzing the Preference and Efficacy of Distributed and Accumulated Reinforcement
Mentor 1
Jeffrey Tiger
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
29-4-2016 1:30 PM
End Date
29-4-2016 3:30 PM
Description
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) is a common treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities that engage in problem behavior to terminate non-preferred work activities to access breaks. DRA involves withholding breaks contingent on problem behavior and delivering breaks following work completion. Typically, DRA begins with frequent, short work periods followed by short break periods (referred to as distributed breaks). However, recent research has indicated individuals may prefer longer work periods to earn accumulated breaks. The current study sought to compare DRA with distributed and accumulated breaks with an individual with developmental disabilities who specifically engaged in problem behavior to terminate or avoid work activities. We compared these arrangements initially based upon their efficacy at reducing problem behavior and then assessed participants preferences for the two arrangements. The accumulated and distributed schedules both yielded low levels of problem behavior. However, the participant more often showed a preference for accumulated reinforcement. On a larger scale, while this research shows that both distributed and accumulated models are effective in reducing problem behavior, allowing the individual to choose their preferred amount may result in a larger quantity of work being done in one sitting.
Analyzing the Preference and Efficacy of Distributed and Accumulated Reinforcement
Union Wisconsin Room
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) is a common treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities that engage in problem behavior to terminate non-preferred work activities to access breaks. DRA involves withholding breaks contingent on problem behavior and delivering breaks following work completion. Typically, DRA begins with frequent, short work periods followed by short break periods (referred to as distributed breaks). However, recent research has indicated individuals may prefer longer work periods to earn accumulated breaks. The current study sought to compare DRA with distributed and accumulated breaks with an individual with developmental disabilities who specifically engaged in problem behavior to terminate or avoid work activities. We compared these arrangements initially based upon their efficacy at reducing problem behavior and then assessed participants preferences for the two arrangements. The accumulated and distributed schedules both yielded low levels of problem behavior. However, the participant more often showed a preference for accumulated reinforcement. On a larger scale, while this research shows that both distributed and accumulated models are effective in reducing problem behavior, allowing the individual to choose their preferred amount may result in a larger quantity of work being done in one sitting.
