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Effects of reinforcer choice measured in single-operant and concurrent-schedule procedures

A S Geckeler1, M E Libby, R B Graff

  • 1The New England Center for Children and Northeastern University, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772, USA.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|October 29, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism showed higher response rates when offered a choice of reinforcers compared to no choice. This effect was observed specifically in concurrent-schedule procedures, not single-operant phases.

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Understanding factors influencing reinforcement efficacy is crucial in behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Previous research has explored reinforcer effectiveness, but the specific impact of choice versus no choice on response rates in children with ASD requires further investigation.
  • This study examines the role of choice in modifying operant responding within established behavioral procedures.

Observation:

  • The study compared the effects of choice and no choice of reinforcer on the response rates of three children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Response rates were assessed using both single-operant and concurrent-schedule procedures to evaluate different behavioral contexts.
  • Initial observations during single-operant phases did not reveal consistent differences in responding between conditions where reinforcer choice was available and where it was not.

Findings:

  • During concurrent-schedule phases, a significant difference in responding emerged.
  • All participants demonstrated substantially higher rates of responding towards the option that provided a choice among reinforcers.
  • Conversely, responding to the option that did not offer a choice was considerably lower.

Implications:

  • Offering choices of reinforcers may be a more effective strategy for increasing response rates in children with ASD within certain behavioral paradigms, particularly concurrent schedules.
  • These findings suggest that incorporating choice-making opportunities into interventions could enhance engagement and motivation for individuals with autism.
  • Further research should explore the generalizability of these findings across different populations and intervention settings.

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