Ecott, C. L., Foate, B. A. L., Taylor, B., & Critchfield, T. S. (1999).
Further evaluation of reinforcer magnitude effects in noncontingent schedules.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 529-532.
We closely replicated the procedures of a previous study that
showed a positive relationship between reinforcer magnitude and
the response-rate-reducing effects of noncontingent schedules
(NCS). NCS reduced response rates, as expected, but the
NCS-magnitude effect was not reproduced, illuminating possible
weaknesses of current arbitrary-response procedures and
suggesting avenues for future research.
DESCRIPTORS: noncontingent schedules, reinforcer
magnitude, developmentally disabled adults