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Designing interventions that include delayed reinforcement: implications of recent laboratory research
R Stromer1, J J McComas, R A Rehfeldt
1Psychological Sciences Division, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452, USA. rstromer@shriver.org
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|October 29, 2000
Summary
This study integrates laboratory findings on delayed reinforcement to improve real-world interventions. Research on response allocation, stimulus chains, and self-control clarifies how delayed reinforcement influences behavior and adaptive choices.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Experimental psychology
Background:
- Real-world interventions often use delayed reinforcers, delivered after a target behavior.
- Integrating laboratory research on delayed reinforcement can enhance applied interventions.
- Key concepts include delayed reinforcement, response allocation, stimulus chains, and self-control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate findings from laboratory research on delayed reinforcement.
- To analyze how delayed reinforcement affects behavior in applied settings.
- To clarify conditions under which delayed reinforcement controls behavior.
Main Methods:
- Examined studies on delayed reinforcement from the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.
- Analyzed delayed reinforcement in relation to response allocation.
- Investigated delayed reinforcement within stimulus chaining and self-control paradigms.
Main Results:
- Delayed reinforcement can control behavior under specific conditions.
- Conditioned reinforcement is often entailed in delayed reinforcement schedules.
- Delayed reinforcement can displace the effects of immediate reinforcement.
Conclusions:
- Laboratory research on delayed reinforcement has practical implications for applied behavior analysis.
- Findings can inform the development of positive social behaviors.
- Research aids in teaching adaptive decision-making and self-control strategies.
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