Progar, P. R., North, S. T., Bruce, S. S., DiNovi, B. J., Nau, P. A., Eberman, E. M., Bailey, J. R., Jr., & Nussbaum, C. N. (2001).
Putative behavioral history effects and aggression maintained by escape from therapists.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
34, 69-72.
Differentially higher rates of aggression in treatment sessions
occurred in the presence of two staff members who had previously
worked with the participant at another facility. Adding an edible
reinforcer for compliance and the absence of aggression in
sessions conducted by these two staff members decreased
aggression to rates similar to those obtained with less familiar
therapists. Results suggest that embedding positive reinforcement
within a demand context may reduce the aversiveness of therapists
correlated with a history of demand situations.
DESCRIPTORS: _behavioral history, escape-maintained aggression,
positive reinforcement