The effect of observing response procedures on the reduction of over-selectivity in a match to sample task: Immediate but not long term benefits

The Effect of Stimulus Salience on Over-selectivity

“…When the observing response was removed, over-selective responding returned. Thus, an alternative to such an intervention is needed (see also Broomfield et al, 2008b). The present study provides clear support that control by an over-selected stimulus can be reduced through extinction.…”

Extinction of Over-selected Stimuli Causes Emergence of Under-selected Cues in Higher-functioning Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

“…It is, thus, assumed that the participant has attended completely to the compound stimulus, and over-selectivity of any one element at the expense of the others is reduced. Observing response procedures have been shown to reduce the effects of stimulus over-selectivity (e.g., Dube and McIlvane 1999), but the evidence suggests that the intervention effects are lost posttreatment (Broomfield et al 2008b;Dube and McIlvane 1999). Thus, although there is evidence that the observing response procedure can reduce over-selectivity (e.g., Constantine and Sidman 1975;Stromer et al 1993), this procedure may not promote long-term effects (see Dube and McIlvane 1999).…”

“…Thus, although there is evidence that the observing response procedure can reduce over-selectivity (e.g., Constantine and Sidman 1975;Stromer et al 1993), this procedure may not promote long-term effects (see Dube and McIlvane 1999). Rather, the procedural benefits of an observing response intervention appear to be confined to the period of application of the intervention (Broomfield et al 2008b). In contrast, the extinction procedure adopted by Broomfield et al (2008a) would, be definition, offer a post-intervention benefit to the participants.…”

Brief Report: The Effect of Delayed Matching to Sample on Stimulus Over-Selectivity

“…According to White (1985), the main effect of sample-comparison time delay is to attenuate stimulus control; that is, as the sample-comparison RI gets longer, the ability to match the comparison to the same decreases. Broomfield et al (2007; see also Reed 2006) noted that the inclusion of such an RI did have an effect on the level of over-selectivity in adults without developmental disabilities. As the RI increased, the participants' behavior increasingly came under control of the stimulus elements, rather than the stimulus compounds.…”