An Evaluation of Operant Behavioural Economics in Functional Communication Training for Severe Problem Behaviour

Gilroy, Shawn P.; Ford, Haley L.; Boyd, R. Justin; O’Connor, Julia T.; Kurtz, Patricia F.

doi:10.1080/17518423.2019.1646342

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…For instance, such questions are particularly relevant when thinning schedules of reinforcement (i.e., advancing from FR1 to more lean, variable schedules). Additionally, knowledge of the RE of reinforcers may guide the design and implementation of interventions predicated on work output (e.g., demand fading; Gilroy, Ford et al, 2019). Tustin (1994) was among the earliest researchers to highlight variability in RE between stimuli across schedules of reinforcement.…”

Section: Preference and Reinforcer Efficacymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, few have directly evaluated RE and its implications in the function-based treatment of problem behavior. Among the few studies that have translated the behavioral economic concept of demand into function-based assessment and treatment, Gilroy, Ford, et al (2019) evaluated the demand for social-positive and social-negative forms of reinforcement. Using demand curve analyses fitted to the levels of target behavior on PR schedules, the elasticity of demand for reinforcers was used to select a schedule from the upper limits of the more stable inelastic range of prices, and this information was used in a functional communication training (FCT) treatment for problem behavior.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although novel and effective within an evaluation of FCT as a treatment for problem behavior, the Gilroy, Ford, et al (2019) study only evaluated schedules of reinforcement within the inelastic range of demand in treatment. As such, there is limited evidence confirming that schedules in the upper end of the inelastic range would support higher levels of target behavior than those in the elastic range-the anticipated form assumed in economic theory (see Figure 1 for the prototypical form of the demand and output curve).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Advancements within the PR schedule were consistent with the intermittent PR subtype described in Jarmolowicz and Lattal (2010), whereby an advance in the series of schedules was contingent on the delivery of three reinforcers on the current schedule. Consistent with Gilroy, Ford, et al (2019), the PR schedule for all participants began at PR1, PR2, PR3, PR5, PR10, PR15, and PR20. These PR reinforcer assessments continued until participants either completed the final schedule, indicated they would like to stop, engaged in disruptive or aggressive behavior, or 2 min passed without observing the targeted behavior.…”

Section: Progressive-ratio Reinforcer Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…further support for elasticity-informed approaches to intervention development, such as informing work requirements during demand fading (Gilroy, Ford, et al, 2019) or extending applications of token reinforcement (Hackenberg, 2018).…”

Section: Figure 4 Individual Evaluations Of Reinforcer Efficacy and Elasticity Across Reinforcersmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Extending stimulus preference assessment with the operant demand framework

Gilroy

Waits

Feck

2021

J of App Behav Analysis

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This study extended earlier research on stimulus preference (SP) and reinforcer efficacy (RE) using the behavioral economic concept of elasticity. The elasticity of demand for different items can be used to simultaneously compare RE across stimuli and schedules of reinforcement. Highly preferred stimuli were identified via SP assessments and evaluated using progressive-ratio reinforcer assessments. Reinforcers were then evaluated across the ranges of elasticity in individual reinforcer evaluations. Results indicated that schedules associated with the ranges of elasticity (e.g., inelastic vs. elastic) corresponded with rates of the targeted behavior (i.e., work) and these trends were consistent with behavioral economic predictions. These findings encourage further inquiry and replication of operant demand methods to identify potential boundary conditions for stimuli identified using SP assessments. Discussion is provided regarding the efficiency of reinforcer assessment and the utility of schedules found to exist in the elastic and inelastic ranges.

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Section: Preference and Reinforcer Efficacymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Progressive-ratio Reinforcer Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figure 4 Individual Evaluations Of Reinforcer Efficacy and Elasticity Across Reinforcersmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Extending stimulus preference assessment with the operant demand framework

Gilroy

Waits

Feck

2021

J of App Behav Analysis

Self Cite

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Reinforcer value moderates response magnitude and persistence during extinction: A randomized trial

Lambert,

Osina,

Copeland

2024

J of App Behav Analysis

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Extinction bursts, or temporary increases in rates and intensities of behavior during extinction, can preclude the inclusion of extinction in intervention packages meant to suppress severe challenging behavior. To identify underlying behavioral mechanisms responsible for response persistence and bursting, 69 adults with developmental disabilities completed a low‐stakes translational investigation employing a 2 × 2 factorial, crossed, and randomized matched blocks design, with batched randomization logic. In each of the four test groups, we made distinct antecedent manipulations with two value parameters commonly studied through behavioral economics (i.e., demand intensity, Pmax) and evaluated the extent to which each of these manipulations influenced target responding during extinction. Although we found statistically significant differences attributable to both parameters, variations in reinforcer consumption relative to demand intensity were most influential across all dependent variables. This outcome implicates consumption relative to demand intensity as both a mitigating and exacerbating preextinction factor that influences the prevalence of adverse collateral extinction effects (e.g., bursts).

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Interpretation(s) of essential value in operant demand

Gilroy

2023

J Exper Analysis Behavior

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The operant demand framework has achieved high levels of adoption as an approach to quantify how various ecological factors influence choice. A central goal of the framework proposed by Hursh and Silberburg (2008) was to isolate the “essential value” of reinforcers—namely, their effects on behavior given various contextual factors. The effect of reinforcers on behavior is a phenomenon that is expected to vary as a function of reinforcer magnitude/dosage (i.e., units of reinforcement), price (i.e., schedule requirements), the intensity of demand (i.e., consumption in free operant conditions), the availability of reinforcers (i.e., supply, presence of alternatives), and the individual's current and historical context. This technical report provides a historical summary of the concept, describes the quantitative basis for essential value in the framework of Hursh and Silberburg (2008), reviews prior attempts to extract a generalizable index of essential value, and presents a newer formulation using exact solution that provides a more succinct and durable index. Proofs and solutions are provided to clarify the bases for novel and existing representations of essential value. Recommendations are provided to improve the precision and accuracy of behavioral economic metrics as well as support consensus regarding their interpretation in the operant demand framework.

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An Evaluation of Operant Behavioural Economics in Functional Communication Training for Severe Problem Behaviour

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

Extending stimulus preference assessment with the operant demand framework

Extending stimulus preference assessment with the operant demand framework

Reinforcer value moderates response magnitude and persistence during extinction: A randomized trial

Interpretation(s) of essential value in operant demand

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