A Unit Price Evaluation of Severe Problem Behavior

Abstract

We evaluated problem behavior exhibited by 6 individuals with developmental disabilities using the behavioral economic conceptualization of unit price. Descriptive observations were conducted during interactions between the participants and their primary care providers in a clinical laboratory, the participants' homes, or school. Data were recorded on potential reinforcers and problem behavior. After identifying reinforcers for each participant's problem behavior by way of functional analysis, the descriptive data were analyzed retrospectively, using the cost-benefit ratio described by the concept of unit price. Results showed that demand was elastic and produced monotonic response output curves. The results represent an extension of the concept of unit price to severe problem behavior under naturally occurring environmental conditions.

Consumption and Response Output as a Function of Unit Price: Manipulation of Cost and Benefit Components

“…Results of the current investigation add to both the basic and applied studies on the utility of behavioral economic concepts in the experimental analysis of behavior by extending evaluations of cost and benefit components to the academic task completion of typically developing young children. Unlike prior descriptive research on the construct of unit price (Borrero, Francisco, Haberlin, Ross, & Sran, 2007) results of the current investigation suggest that even modest price increases (from Unit Price 2 to Unit Price 4) had a considerable impact on reinforcers obtained for 2 of 4 participants in Series 1. In application, this means that for Keelan and Elizabeth, requiring four responses for each reinforcer (rather than two) considerably reduced how many reinforcers were earned.…”

Descriptive and Experimental Analyses of Potential Precursors to Problem Behavior

“…Descriptive data for Bruno were previously reported byBorrero, Francisco, Haberlin, Ross, and Sran (2007) and expressed as work and demand functions. These data were not subjected previously to conditional probability analyses or lag-sequential analyses.…”

Editorial: Retrospections, Prospections and New Paths for Behavioral Science

“…A pigeon or rat responding under a food reinforcement schedule or a human subject in a behavioral intervention (Borrero, Francisco, Haberlin, Ross, & Sran, 2007;Donaldson, DeLeon, Fisher, & Kahng, 2014;Henley, DiGennaro Reed, Reed, & Kaplan, 2016;Reed & Martens, 2011;Reed, Niileksela, & Kaplan, 2013;Roane, Falcomata, & Fisher, 2007;Tustin, 1994) is a consumer who is paying for reinforcement with behavior. Schedules of reinforcement are statements of price and income.…”