Evaluating Self‐control and Impulsivity in Children With Severe Behavior Disorders

Abstract

Impulsivity and self-control involve a choice between a smaller, more immediate reinforcer and a larger, more delayed reinforcer. Impulsive behavior occurs when responding produces the more immediate, relatively smaller reinforcers at the expense of delayed larger reinforcers. Self-control occurs when responding produces delayed larger reinforcers at the expense of immediate smaller reinforcers. Recently, researchers in applied behavior analysis have suggested that evaluations of self-control and impulsivity are relevant to socially important behaviors. Further, common behavioral treatments such as differential reinforcement may be influenced by variables such as reinforcer delay. In this study, we showed that aggression, reinforced by access to food, could be maintained as impulsive behavior. The participants were 2 young boys with severe developmental disabilities. For both participants, descriptive observations, care provider report, and functional analyses suggested that aggression was reinforced by food access (and television access for 1 participant). Next, we introduced a differential reinforcement procedure in which appropriate mands were reinforced. After various manipulations, we showed that aggression occurred when it produced immediate but small reinforcers even though mands produced larger, more delayed reinforcers. However, both participants displayed self-control when the delay to reinforcement was signaled (with a hand gesture or a timer).

Using a Time Timer™ to increase appropriate waiting behavior in a child with developmental disabilities

“…This study supports previous findings that participants respond well to knowing that reinforcement will be available (Vollmer et al 1999) and when reinforcement will be available (Bower et al 1966). It also lends substantiation to the proposal that functional based interventions are an effective strategy in the treatment of problem behaviors (Campbell & Lutzker, 2005).…”

“…Vollmer, Borrero, Lalli & Daniel (1999) demonstrated that participants with developmental disabilities and severe challenging behaviors were more likely to exhibit self-control than impulsive choices when the longer delays were signalled rather than unsignalled. They also recommended that a further investigation into 'timed' delays (the availability of a visual timer throughout the delay) for future research.…”

“…Access to consumable or tangible reinforcers frequently maintains severe behavior problems displayed by such individuals (Vollmer et al 1999). Many studies have focused on impulsive behavior maintained by token reinforcement (money) and not on tangible or attention maintained behaviors that are also sensitive to impulsivity (Vollmer et al 1999). …”

“…The portable watch could be gradually introduced in place of the desk-top timer and could be used across settings and instructors to ensure maintenance and generalisation of the skill. Vollmer et al (1999) highlighted the need for future research to investigate impulsive behavior in light of a tangible or attention based function -as these behaviors are also sensitive to impulsivity. The results of the functional assessment in the present study indicated that the participant's tantrums (inappropriate impulsive behavior) were maintained by access to tangible items/activities.…”

Designing Interventions That Include Delayed Reinforcement: Implications of Recent Laboratory Research

“…Aggression in some individuals might be conceptualized as impulsive behavior (Vollmer, Borrero, Lalli, & Daniel, 1999). During a clinical assessment, when a participant with developmental disabilities is aggressive (e.g., hitting, kicking, and scratching), a small reinforcer (e.g., one potato chip or 30 s of watching television) is delivered; but when the participant mands appropriately by handing the teacher a picture card, a large reinforcer (e.g., three potato chips or 60 s of watching television) is delivered.…”