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Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
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Noncontingent reinforcement: Arbitrary versus maintaining reinforcers for escape-maintained problem behavior.

Zoe A Newman1,2, Eileen M Roscoe1,2, Nancy P Errera2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Western New England University.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) without extinction can reduce problem behavior using either maintaining or arbitrary reinforcers. However, effectiveness varies, with some individuals needing extinction added for arbitrary reinforcers.

Keywords:
arbitrary reinforcerextinctionnegative reinforcementnoncontingent reinforcementproblem behavior

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Area of Science:

  • Behavior Analysis
  • Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

  • Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is a strategy for reducing problem behavior.
  • NCR typically involves delivering maintaining reinforcers on a time-based schedule and often includes extinction.
  • Arbitrary reinforcers may be effective in NCR without extinction for escape-maintained behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of NCR without extinction.
  • To compare the effectiveness of maintaining versus arbitrary reinforcers for individuals with escape-maintained problem behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Two NCR conditions were assessed: NCR with the maintaining reinforcer (escape) and NCR with an arbitrary reinforcer (edible).
  • Multielement and reversal designs were employed.
  • The study included 4 individuals with escape-maintained problem behavior.

Main Results:

  • Treatment effects varied across participants.
  • Two participants showed reduced problem behavior with both arbitrary and maintaining reinforcers during NCR without extinction.
  • One participant required the addition of extinction to NCR for both reinforcer types to be effective.
  • For the fourth participant, the maintaining reinforcer was effective without extinction, but the arbitrary reinforcer was not.

Conclusions:

  • NCR without extinction can be effective for reducing escape-maintained problem behavior.
  • The choice between maintaining and arbitrary reinforcers, and the necessity of extinction, depends on individual participant characteristics.
  • Further research is needed to understand the variables influencing the efficacy of different reinforcer types within NCR protocols.