Noncontingent reinforcement as treatment for severe problem behavior: some procedural variations

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Developmental Disabilities
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

• Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is a common treatment for problem behavior.
• Traditional NCR involves continuous access to reinforcers and extinction.
• Research is needed to examine the essential components of NCR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of an initial NCR schedule based on latency to problem behavior.
• To determine if extinction is an essential component of NCR treatment.
• To evaluate NCR's effectiveness in reducing problem behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities.

Main Methods:

• A three-phase investigation was conducted.
• Phase 1: Functional analysis to identify maintaining reinforcers for problem behavior.
• Phase 2: Implemented NCR with an initial interval based on baseline latency.
• Phase 3: Implemented NCR without extinction.

Main Results:

• Functional analysis confirmed problem behavior was maintained by tangible reinforcement.
• The latency-based NCR schedule effectively reduced problem behavior.
• NCR without extinction also effectively reduced problem behavior.
• Both tested NCR variations were more effective than baseline.

Conclusions:

• An initial NCR schedule based on latency is effective.
• Extinction may not be an essential component of NCR for all cases.
• These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing NCR treatment protocols.