Piazza, C. C., Adelinis, J. D., Hanley, G. P., Goh, H., & Delia, M. D. (2000).
An evaluation of the effects of matched stimuli on behaviors maintained by automatic reinforcement.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
33, 13-27.
The purpose of the current investigation was to extend the
literature on matched stimuli to three dissimilar forms of
aberrant behavior (dangerous climbing and jumping, saliva
manipulation, and hand mouthing). The results of functional
analyses suggested that each behavior was automatically
reinforced. Preference assessments were used to identify two
classes of stimuli: items that matched the hypothesized sensory
consequences of aberrant behavior (matched stimuli) and items
that produced sensory consequences that were not similar to those
produced by the aberrant behavior (unmatched stimuli). The
effects of providing continuous and noncontingent access to
either the most highly preferred matched or the most highly
preferred unmatched stimuli were assessed relative to a condition
in which no stimuli were available. Overall results suggested
that providing access to items that matched the hypothesized
sensory consequences of aberrant behavior may be more effective
than simply selecting stimuli either arbitrarily or based on the
results of preference assessments alone.
DESCRIPTORS: _automatic reinforcement, functional analysis,
preference assessment