Reducing inappropriate behavior of mentally retarded children through interpolated reinforcement

Effects of interpolating additional reinforcement into an existing "natural" schedule of reinforcement were examined on subsequent responding when experimenter-controlled reinforcement was withdrawn. Six mildly to moderately mentally retarded children were given from 10 to 45 minutes of interpolated reinforcement for target behavior that interfered with habilitation. When the interpolated reinforcement was discontinued, the forms of responding returned to those of initial baseline, and the rates were lower. The significantly lower rate of responding in the return-to-baseline condition suggests that such a procedure may be effectively incorporated into behavior-reduction programs.