Jason N. Simmons, Richard G. Smith, & Lana Kliethermes (2003).
A multiple-schedule evaluation of immediate and subsequent effects of fixed-time food presentation on automatically maintained mouthing.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
36, 541-544.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate and subsequent effects of fixed-time
(FT) food presentations on mouthing. The effects of FT food presentations were analyzed within
a three-component multiple schedule in which baseline conditions were implemented during the
first and third components and treatment conditions were implemented during the second
component. Results indicated that FT food reduced mouthing and that levels of mouthing during
post-FT components were reliably lower than pre-FT components. Behavioral mechanisms
responsible for treatment effects are discussed.
DESCRIPTORS: hand mouthing, automatic reinforcement, fixed-time food presentation,
noncontingent reinforcement