Lalli, J. S., Vollmer, T. R., Progar, P. R., Wright, C., Borrero, J., Daniel, D., Barthold, C. H., Tocco, K., & May, W. (1999).
Competition between positive and negative reinforcement in the treatment of escape behavior.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 285-296.
We compared the effects of reinforcing compliance with either
positive reinforcement (edible items) or negative reinforcement
(a break) on 5 participants' escape-maintained problem behavior.
Both procedures were assessed with or without extinction. Results
showed that compliance was higher and problem behavior was lower
for all participants when compliance produced an edible item
rather than a break. Treatment gains were achieved without the
use of extinction. Results are discussed regarding the use of
positive reinforcement to treat escape behavior.
DESCRIPTORS: _escape maintained problem behavior, functional
analysis, positive versus negative reinforcement