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Operant conditioning of vocalization rate of infants with Down syndrome
1Department of Psychology, Queens College/City University of New York, Flushing 11367.
Insights
Social reinforcement increased vocalizations in infants with Down syndrome. Continuous reinforcement for vocalization (CRF) led to higher rates than differential reinforcement of other-than-vocalization (DRO), supporting contingent stimulation for communication.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Genetics
Background:
- Infant vocal communication is crucial for development.
- Down syndrome can impact communication skills.
- Understanding reinforcement's role can inform interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate reinforcement control over vocalization rates in infants with Down syndrome.
- To compare continuous reinforcement for vocalization (CRF) with differential reinforcement of other-than-vocalization (DRO).
Main Methods:
- Three infants with Down syndrome (2.7, 5, and 8.2 months) participated.
- Parents provided social reinforcement under CRF and DRO schedules.
- Vocalization rates were systematically measured under both conditions.
Main Results:
- All infants exhibited significantly higher vocalization rates during CRF.
- Vocalization rates increased even when social stimulation during DRO was equal to or greater than CRF.
- Findings align with previous research on typically developing infants.
Conclusions:
- Social reinforcement effectively controls vocalization rates in infants with Down syndrome.
- Results support a contingent-stimulation model for enhancing infant vocal communication.
- This approach may be beneficial for early intervention strategies.
Abstract:
Reinforcement control over vocalization rates of infants with Down syndrome was evaluated; elicitation of vocalizations by social stimulation was controlled. Parents of three infants (2.7, 5, and 8.2 months old) provided social reinforcement under two schedules: continuous reinforcement for vocalization (CRF) and differential reinforcement of other-than-vocalization (DRO). All infants produced systematically higher vocalization rates during CRF, even though the amount of social stimulation during DRO was equal to or greater than the amount provided during CRF. The results replicated findings with normally developing infants and support a contingent-stimulation model of intervention for infant vocal communication.