A preliminary procedure for predicting the positive and negative effects of reinforcement-based procedures.

Full Abstract

In the current investigation, a modification was made to the preference assessment described by Pace, Ivancic, Edwards, Iwata, and Page (1985) to predict the effects of stimuli when used in a differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) schedule for 2 clients with severe self-injurious behavior (SIB) and profound mental retardation. Based on the results of the preference assessment, three types of stimuli were identified: (a) high-preference stimuli associated with high rates of SIB (HP/HS), (b) high-preference stimuli associated with relatively lower rates of SIB (HP/LS), and (c)low-preference stimuli associated with low rates of SIB (LP/LS). Consistent with the results of the preference assessment, the DRO schedule with HP/HS stimuli resulted in increased SIB, and the DRO schedule with LP/LS stimuli resulted in no change in SIB when used in a DRO schedule. Thus, the stimulus preference assessment may be useful clinically in some situations for predicting both the beneficial and the negative side effects of stimuli in DRO procedures.

Author information

Author/s: Piazza, C C (CC); Fisher, W W (WW); Hanley, G P (GP); Hilker, K (K); Derby, K M (KM);

Affiliation: Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

Grants: MCJ249149-02 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of applied behavior analysis (J Appl Behav Anal), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1996-; vol 29 (issue 2) : pp 137-52

Dates: Created 1996/08/19; Completed 1996/08/19; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 8682733, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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