Varying reinforcer dimensions during differential reinforcement without extinction: A translational model

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

• Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction (DRA without extinction) often fails when reinforcers are equivalent for problem and alternative behaviors.
• Modifying reinforcement dimensions may enhance the efficacy of DRA without extinction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of manipulating reinforcement dimensions (magnitude, immediacy, quality) on the effectiveness of DRA without extinction.
• To assess if these manipulations can reduce problem behavior and increase alternative responses.

Main Methods:

• A translational study involving 32 college students performing a computer-based button-pressing task.
• Participants engaged in analogs of problem behavior and appropriate behavior.
• Evaluated the effects of manipulating magnitude, immediacy, quality, and a combination of all three dimensions of reinforcement for the alternative response.

Main Results:

• All tested dimension manipulations led to reductions in analog problem behavior.
• The most significant reductions in problem behavior were observed during the quality manipulation and the combined dimensions manipulation.
• These findings suggest that manipulating reinforcement dimensions can improve treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction can be an effective treatment strategy when reinforcement dimensions are manipulated to favor the alternative response.
• Enhancing reinforcement quality or using a combination of dimension manipulations shows particular promise for reducing problem behavior.