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Putative behavioral history effects and aggression maintained by escape from therapists
P R Progar1, S T North, S S Bruce
1Bancroft Neurohealth, Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033-0018, USA. pprogar@bnh.org
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|April 25, 2001
Summary
Aggression decreased when therapists used edible reinforcement for compliance, especially with familiar staff. This suggests positive reinforcement can lessen therapist-related aversion from past demands.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Aggression in treatment sessions can be influenced by therapist familiarity and history.
- Previous negative interactions, such as demand situations, may increase aversion.
Observation:
- Higher aggression rates were observed when specific therapists, previously known to the participant, led sessions.
- These therapists had a history of working with the participant at a different facility.
Findings:
- Implementing edible reinforcers for compliance and absence of aggression significantly reduced behavioral incidents.
- Aggression rates during sessions with these specific therapists decreased to levels comparable to those with unfamiliar therapists.
Implications:
- Embedding positive reinforcement within demand contexts can mitigate the aversiveness associated with therapists.
- This strategy may improve treatment outcomes and therapeutic alliance by reducing negative conditioning.