Extinction can be described in terms of procedures (i.e., discontinuing reinforcement for a previously reinforced response) as well as effects (e.g., response bursts and variability; Lattal, St. Peter Pipkin, & Escobar, 2013). Furthermore, side effects occasioned by extinction procedures might include dangerous response topographies such as aggressive behaviors. Despite undesired side effects, researchers and practitioners use extinction combined with differential reinforcement procedures to reduce problem behavior. The purpose of this review was to examine differential reinforcement treatment packages that excluded the use of an extinction component, which can be conceptualized as a concurrent schedule. The authors reviewed 109 individual experiments contained within 32 published articles. Studies included human participants, a functional analysis of problem behavior, and intervention phases that contained differential reinforcement without extinction. The review indicated potential positive yet idiosyncratic effects regarding the arrangement of concurrent schedules.
Interruption and redirection (IR) procedures involve systematically disrupting an undesirable behavior and prompting an individual to engage in an alternative behavior (e.g., Ahearn et al., 2007). These procedures have been frequently assessed for reducing stereotypy for autistic individuals. The purposes of this review were to determine (a) for whom and under what conditions physical and verbal IR procedures are assessed; (b) what outcomes are measured; (c) whether results vary by intervention characteristics, dependent variable types, design quality, and publication status; and (d) the extent to which generalization and maintenance outcomes are measured and show positive effects. IR interventions were moderately successful for reducing stereotypy but were less effective for improving appropriate vocalizations and functional engagement. Generalization and maintenance outcomes, when measured, were poor. Results indicate the need for alternative or augmentative procedures that focus on engagement in meaningful interactions and activities.
This paper discusses variables contributing to behavior analysis's growth within the autism community and the effect of an autism diagnosis on behavior-analytic services and access to those services. Recent insurance reforms in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands require insurance companies to offer, or cover, behavior-analytic services to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. However, despite many benefits associated with increased coverage for individuals with autism, potential limitations exist, such as age and disability discrimination. Furthermore, this paper examines factors influencing the growing number of behavior analysts practicing in the area of autism and steps to ensure the field's growth beyond autism.
Behavioral Momentum Theory (BMT) is often described as analogous to Newton's (1687) laws of motion. That is to say, similar to an object in motion continuing in motion unless acted upon by a force, responses occurring in a static environment will continue to occur at the same rate, unless presented with a disruptor (Nevin, Tota, Torquato, & Shull, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 53, 359-379, 1990). When evaluating response rates through a behavioral momentum framework, responding continuing after a change in reinforcer conditions is said to persist. Previous research conducted with nonhuman animals indicates greater response persistence following conditions with either higher reinforcer rates or higher reinforcer magnitudes (Nevin,
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