Fixed-time schedule effects as a function of baseline reinforcement rate

Citation Detail

Title:

Fixed-time schedule effects as a function of baseline reinforcement rate.

Authors:

Ringdahl, Joel E., University Hosp School, Iowa City, IA, US
Vollmer, Timothy R.
Borrero, John C.
Connell, James E.

Source:

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Vol 34(1), Spr, 2001. pp. 1-15.

Publisher:

US: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

ISSN:

0021-8855 (Print)
1938-3703 (Electronic)

Language:

English

Keywords:

fixed-time schedule effects as function of baseline reinforcement rate, developmentally disordered 5-yr-old male & 4- & 13-yr-old females

Abstract:

Evaluated fixed-time (FT) schedules that were either similar or dissimilar to a baseline (response-dependent) reinforcement schedule and extinction using an arbitrary response. Ss were a 4-yr-old girl with a speech deficit who functioned in the mild–moderate range of mental retardation (MR), a 5-yr-old boy diagnosed with autism who functioned in the moderate–severe range of MR, and a 13-yr-old girl who functioned in the moderate-to-severe range of MR. Methodology involved 2–8 5-min sessions conducted 4–7 days per week. Target behavior, reinforcer delivery, and collateral behaviors (aggression) were observed using a computerized data-collection program. For the 5- and 13-yr-olds, the target behavior was activating a microswitch. For the 4-yr-old the target behavior was accurately sorting colored blocks. The results indicate that, when FT schedules were similar to baseline reinforcer rates, response rates did not decrease as much as when FT schedules were dissimilar to baseline. In addition, for 2 Ss, the response reduction during extinction was greater than the response reduction during FT-similar schedules but was roughly equal to the response reduction during FT-dissimilar schedules. These results suggest that schedule transitions from baseline to treatment are important. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)

Subjects:

*Developmental Disabilities; *Reinforcement Schedules; Fixed Interval Reinforcement

Classification:

Developmental Disorders & Autism (3250)

Population:

Human (10)
Male (30)
Female (40)
Inpatient (50)

Age Group:

Childhood (birth-12 yrs) (100)
Preschool Age (2-5 yrs) (160)
Adolescence (13-17 yrs) (200)

Methodology:

Empirical Study

Format Availablability:

Electronic; Print

Format Covered:

Print

Publication Type:

Journal; Peer Reviewed Journal

Document Type:

Journal Article

Release Date:

20010411

Digital Object Identifier:

10.1901/jaba.2001.34-1

Accession Number:

2001-00581-001

Number of Citations in Source:

19

Persistent link to this record (Permalink):

Database:

PsycINFO

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