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Synthesized alternative reinforcement and resurgence
Sean W Smith1, Beatriz E Arroyo Antúnez1, Jacqueline DeBartelo1
1SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|August 1, 2024
Summary
Synthesized reinforcement rapidly suppresses target behavior, but leads to more resurgence when reinforcement stops. Isolated reinforcement is less effective initially but more durable during disruptions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Animal behavior research
- Applied behavior analysis
Background:
- Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) treatments often use synthesized reinforcement (multiple reinforcers) instead of isolated reinforcement (single reinforcer).
- Synthesized reinforcement may suppress target behavior more effectively, but its long-term durability during treatment disruptions is less understood.
- Conceptual theories of resurgence suggest synthesized reinforcement might increase target behavior resurgence when reinforcement is withdrawn.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of synthesized versus isolated reinforcement on target behavior suppression and resurgence.
- To test the hypothesis that synthesized reinforcement leads to greater resurgence of target behavior following extinction.
Main Methods:
- A three-phase resurgence evaluation was conducted with rats.
- Phase 1: Baseline.
- Phase 2: Rats received either isolated or synthesized reinforcement for alternative responding.
- Phase 3: All rats were exposed to extinction (no reinforcement).
Main Results:
- Synthesized alternative reinforcement resulted in faster and more complete suppression of target behavior compared to isolated reinforcement.
- However, rats exposed to synthesized reinforcement showed significantly more resurgence of target behavior during the extinction phase.
- Isolated reinforcement demonstrated less initial suppression but greater resistance to resurgence.
Conclusions:
- While synthesized reinforcement offers rapid target behavior suppression, it may compromise treatment durability by increasing resurgence.
- These findings support resurgence theories suggesting that the richness of alternative reinforcement influences behavior persistence during disruptions.
- Implications for applied behavior analysis suggest a need to carefully consider reinforcement schedules to balance initial efficacy with long-term treatment effects.
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