Successful operant conditioning procedures with an institutionalized aggressive geriatric patient

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Aggression in older adults presents significant challenges.
• Behavioral interventions are crucial for managing aggressive behaviors.
• Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO) is an effective strategy.

Observation:

• A modified DRO schedule with exclusionary time-out was applied to a 69-year-old male exhibiting aggressive behavior.
• Treatment involved tangible reinforcers for non-aggressive behavior, with a systematic fading procedure.
• An ABAB research design tracked physical and verbal aggression over time, including a four-month follow-up.

Findings:

• The intervention demonstrated clear behavioral control over aggressive incidents.
• Clinically significant treatment effects were observed during both experimental phases.
• The fading of tangible reinforcers maintained treatment gains.

Implications:

• Modified DRO schedules are effective for treating aggression in older adults.
• Further research should explore long-term efficacy and generalizability.
• Behavioral interventions offer a viable alternative to traditional methods for managing aggression.