Dixon, M. R., Horner, M. J., & Guercio, J. (2003).
Self-control and the preference for delayed reinforcement: An example in brain injury.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
36, 371-374.
We investigated the effects of a concurrent physical therapy
activity (keeping the hand open) during delays to reinforcement
in an adult man with acquired brain injuries. Once a relatively
stable level of hand-open behavior was obtained, the participant
was asked to choose between a small immediate reinforcer and a
larger delayed reinforcer contingent on keeping the hand open at
greater-than-baseline duration. Afterwards, the participant was
asked to select between a larger delayed reinforcer with no
hand-open requirement and the identical larger delayed reinforcer
with a progressively increasing hand-open requirement. Results
suggest a shift in preference to larger delayed reinforcers and
an eventual preference for the hand-open requirement option.
DESCRIPTORS: _self-control, impulsivity, physical therapy, delayed
reinforcement