Using intermittent reinforcement to program maintenance of verbal/nonverbal correspondence

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Child Development
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

• Establishing consistent verbal and nonverbal behavior is crucial for child development.
• Correspondence training effectively teaches children to match their actions with their words.
• Maintenance of learned behaviors often requires specific reinforcement strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of intermittent reinforcement for maintaining verbal/nonverbal correspondence in children.
• To evaluate the long-term impact of a maintenance strategy on healthy snack choices.
• To determine if intermittent reinforcement can sustain behavior after initial training withdrawal.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multiple baseline design across three children in a day-care setting.
• Established nutritious snack choices using correspondence training procedures.
• Implemented an intermittent reinforcement procedure to test maintenance of the trained behavior.

Main Results:

• Nutritious snack choices were consistently maintained during the intermittent reinforcement phase.
• Appropriate responding was lost when initial procedures were withdrawn, highlighting the need for maintenance.
• Behaviors remained consistent even during a subsequent extinction condition.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent reinforcement is a viable strategy for maintaining verbal/nonverbal correspondence in young children.
• This procedure effectively supports the generalization and persistence of healthy eating habits.
• Behavioral strategies are essential for long-term adherence to learned behaviors in applied settings.