Downshifts in synthesized alternative reinforcement and resurgence

Clinicians often implement differential reinforcement of alternative behavior with synthesized alternative reinforcement, which involves the delivery of multiple, qualitatively different reinforcers contingent on a single alternative response. Previous research has demonstrated that downshifts in alternative reinforcement cause resurgence. We evaluated whether suspending one of the reinforcers from a synthesized alternative reinforcement contingency produces resurgence and compared this with the amount of resurgence when all reinforcers were suspended. First, we conducted a three-phase resurgence evaluation with three groups of rats. In Phase 1, target responding produced a single reinforcer (i.e., food or sucrose). In Phase 2, rats received two qualitatively different reinforcers (i.e., food and sucrose) contingent on alternative responding. In Phase 3, groups of rats experienced different downshifts from synthesized alternative reinforcement. Groups experienced suspension of both reinforcers (complete downshift), suspension of one reinforcer (partial downshift), or no change (no downshift). The partial downshift produced resurgence, and the complete downshift produced more resurgence than the partial downshift. Second, we conducted a follow-up analysis by implementing partial downshifts within a multiple-baseline design. The follow-up analysis provided additional support that partial downshifts in synthesized alternative reinforcement produce resurgence. We discuss both the theoretical and applied implications of these results.