Accumulated and distributed response–reinforcer arrangements during the treatment of escape-maintained problem behavior
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2021-08-03
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Citation of Original Publication
Frank-Crawford, M.A., Borrero, J.C., Newcomb, E.T., Doan, T., Fisher, A. and Rooker, G.W. (2021), Accumulated and distributed response–reinforcer arrangements during the treatment of escape-maintained problem behavior. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 54: 1566-1585. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.870
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This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Frank-Crawford, M.A., Borrero, J.C., Newcomb, E.T., Doan, T., Fisher, A. and Rooker, G.W. (2021), Accumulated and distributed response–reinforcer arrangements during the treatment of escape-maintained problem behavior. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 54: 1566-1585. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.870, which has been published in final form at [Link to final article using the DOI]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
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Abstract
Contingent positive reinforcement has proven more effective in treating escape-maintained problem behavior than contingent negative reinforcement, particularly when problem behavior continues to produce escape. However, this research has overwhelmingly used distributed-reinforcement arrangements, where tasks and reinforcer access are interspersed throughout the work period. An alternative to interspersal involves allowing the individual to accumulate and then receive a larger quantity of reinforcement once work requirements are completed; this is known as an accumulated-reinforcement arrangement. The current study examined the efficacy of, and preference for positive (food) and negative (break) reinforcement contingencies delivered in accumulated and distributed arrangements in the treatment of escape-maintained problem behavior. In Experiment 1, accumulated break was preferred for 4 of 5 participants and accumulated food was preferred for 3 of 5. In Experiment 2, accumulated break was similarly effective to distributed break for 3 of 5 participants and accumulated and distributed food were equally effective for 4 participants.