Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
11:16
The Dig Task: A Simple Scent Discrimination Reveals Deficits Following Frontal Brain Damage
Published on: January 4, 2013
Using choice to increase on-task behavior in individuals with traumatic brain injury
Kim K Tasky1, Eric H Rudrud, Kimberly A Schulze
1St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|July 4, 2008
Summary
Giving adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) the ability to choose tasks significantly boosted their engagement. This study highlights the positive impact of choice on improving on-task behavior in individuals with TBI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can significantly impair cognitive functions, including attention and task engagement.
- Understanding factors that enhance engagement is crucial for effective rehabilitation strategies.
- Limited research exists on the specific impact of choice on task engagement in adults with TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of choice on task engagement in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- To differentiate the impact of task preference versus the act of choosing on engagement levels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an ABA'B research design to assess task engagement.
- Included a yoked-control condition to isolate the effect of choice.
- Evaluated three adult participants diagnosed with TBI.
Main Results:
- All three participants demonstrated increased on-task behavior when given the opportunity to choose tasks.
- The ABA'B design and yoked-control condition helped attribute the increase in engagement to the choice-making process itself.
Conclusions:
- Providing choice in task selection is an effective strategy to enhance on-task behavior in adults with TBI.
- Choice-making interventions may be a valuable component of cognitive rehabilitation programs for individuals with TBI.
- Further research could explore the types of choices and task lists that are most effective.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...