The effects of large, small, and thinning magnitudes of alternative reinforcement on resurgence

A quantitative analysis of resurgence following downshifts in alternative‐reinforcer magnitude

“…Thus, the results of Shahan et al's parametric analysis of sudden downshifts in alternative‐reinforcer rate extended previous findings of target‐response increases with gradual within‐subject thinning of alternative‐reinforcer rates in rats (e.g., Schepers & Bouton, 2015), pigeons (Sweeney & Shahan, 2013), and humans (e.g., Briggs et al, 2018; Muething et al, 2021). Similarly, the present findings extend previous reports of target‐response increases with gradual thinning of alternative‐reinforcer magnitude in rats (Browning et al, 2022).…”

“…Although resurgence was originally described as an extinction‐induced phenomenon (e.g., Epstein, 1983), contemporary research has demonstrated that a worsening of reinforcement conditions for an alternative response is sufficient to produce resurgence (see Lattal et al, 2017, for a discussion). Examples of changes in reinforcement conditions that produce resurgence include (1) delayed alternative‐reinforcer delivery (e.g., Jarmolowicz & Lattal, 2014), (2) punishment of an alternative response (e.g., Fontes et al, 2018), (3) reductions in alternative‐reinforcer rate (e.g., Winterbauer & Bouton, 2012), and (4) reductions in alternative‐reinforcer magnitude (Craig et al, 2017; Oliver et al, 2018; see also Browning et al, 2022). As a result, resurgence has been described as generally resulting from the worsening of alternative conditions.…”

“…The present research examined whether RaC 2 could account for resurgence resulting from reductions in reinforcer magnitude with humans recruited via crowdsourcing. Research with nonhumans suggests that reductions in alternative‐reinforcer magnitude produce resurgence (Craig et al, 2017; Oliver et al, 2018; see also Browning et al, 2022), but researchers have yet to examine the effects of downshifts in alternative‐reinforcer magnitude on resurgence in humans or to evaluate whether RaC 2 can account for the effects of magnitude shifts on resurgence in other species. Clinically, it is important to address this gap in the literature given (1) the widespread use of larger‐magnitude alternative reinforcers and (2) the necessity of replacing higher‐magnitude alternative reinforcers with lower‐magnitude reinforcers to promote maintenance of DRA treatments (e.g., Carr et al, 1999).…”

Resurgence Following Higher or Lower Quality Alternative Reinforcement

“…With both nonhumans and humans, high-rate alternative reinforcement tends to generate greater suppression of target behavior than low-rate or no alternative reinforcement but removal of high-rate alternative reinforcement generates larger increases in target behavior than removal of low-rate alternative reinforcement (e.g., Bouton & Trask, 2015;Cançado et al, 2015;Leitenberg et al, 1975;Nevin et al, 2016;Podlesnik et al, 2022;Pritchard et al, 2014;Smith et al, 2017;Sweeney & Shahan, 2013). 1 Similarly, with rats, larger magnitudes of alternative reinforcement produce more suppression of target responding in Phase 2 than smaller magnitudes, but removal of larger magnitudes generates larger increases in target responding in Phase 3 than removal of smaller magnitudes (Browning et al, 2022;Craig et al, 2017). 2 Although the effects of both the rate and magnitude of alternative reinforcement on resurgence have been examined experimentally, little is known about how qualitative differences in alternative reinforcers affect resurgence.…”

Examining resurgence in rats following expanded‐operant treatments

“…In clinical settings, such resurgence often occurs following otherwise successful differential‐reinforcement‐based treatments for problem behaviors including self‐injury, property destruction, or drug abuse (e.g., see Briggs et al, 2018; Davis et al, 2016; Muething et al, 2021; Petscher et al, 2009). Although such differential‐reinforcement‐of‐alternative‐behavior (DRA) procedures are highly effective while ongoing, resurgence is common when alternative reinforcement is eliminated (e.g., Shahan, Browning, & Nall, 2020; Shahan, Browning, Nist, et al, 2020; Volkert et al, 2009) or thinned in rate (e.g., Briggs et al, 2018; Sweeney & Shahan, 2013) or magnitude (e.g., Browning et al, 2022; Craig et al, 2017), during errors of omission (i.e., failure to deliver a scheduled reinforcer; e.g., Marsteller & St. Peter, 2012; Mitteer et al, 2021; St. Peter Pipkin et al, 2010, or if the alternative response contacts a punishment contingency (e.g., Fontes et al, 2018; Wilson & Hayes, 1996). Given the socially significant nature of the many problem behaviors for which DRA is a viable treatment option, much recent research has been directed at exploring methods that might eliminate or reduce resurgence.…”