Hoch, H., McComas, J. J., Thompson, A. L., & Paone, D. (2002).
Concurrent reinforcement schedules: Behavior change and maintenance without extinction.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
35, 155-169.
We evaluated the effects of concurrent schedules of reinforcement
on negatively reinforced problem behavior and task completion
with 3 children with autism. Results indicated that problem
behavior occurred at high levels and relatively few tasks were
completed when problem behavior produced a break (from tasks) and
task completion produced either no consequence or a break. By
contrast, problem behavior was eliminated and tasks were
completed when problem behavior produced a break and task
completion produced a break with access to preferred activities.
Treatment gains were maintained without the use of extinction
when the response requirement was increased and the schedule of
reinforcement was thinned.
DESCRIPTORS: _concurrent schedules, negative reinforcement,
problem behavior, maintenance