ERIC Number: EJ1489751
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-0819
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3513
Available Date: 2024-01-02
Comparison of Fixed-Ratio and Fixed-Interval Schedules of Reinforcement within the Treatment of Escape-Reinforced Problem Behavior
Patrick W. Romani1; Angelique M. Koerner2
Journal of Behavioral Education, v34 n3 p634-653 2025
The behavior-analytic approach to the assessment and treatment of problem behavior begins with a functional behavior assessment and concludes with function-based treatment implementation. Extinction bursts and the resurgence of problem behavior represent common barriers to successfully implementing these treatments. Recent research documents a common prevalence of these phenomena following contingency changes, including when transitioning from assessment to treatment. Researchers mitigate the disruptive impact of extinction bursts by controlling for the duration of exposure to the establishing operation (EO). Indeed, controlling for EO exposure when initiating treatment decreases the occurrence of problem behavior. While this effect has been documented, it is not clear if certain schedules of reinforcement are more appropriate for initial treatment arrangements than others. The purpose of the current study was to compare fixed-ratio (FR) and fixed-interval (FI) schedules of reinforcement implementation after controlling for the duration of EO exposure for participants who engaged in negatively reinforced problem behavior. Results generally showed both FR and FI treatment arrangements produced reductions in problem behavior and improvements in task completion. Despite these reductions, problem behavior seemed more likely to occur during the FI treatment arrangement. We will discuss these data in terms of identifying effective initial behavioral treatment arrangements for individuals engaging in escape-reinforced problem behavior.
Descriptors: Behavior Problems, Outcomes of Treatment, Negative Reinforcement, Intervals, Behavior Modification, Intervention
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Aurora, USA; 2Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, USA

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