Contingencies are Necessary for Promoting Delay Tolerance

• Main Author: Ghaemmaghami, Mahshid
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Behavioral psychology; Developmental psychology; Social psychology
• ISBN: 1339137356; 9781339137353

The effectiveness of functional communication training as treatment for problem behavior depends on the extent to which treatment can be successfully extended to typical environments that include unavoidable and unpredictable reinforcement delays. Time-based progressive delay (TBPD) often results in the loss of acquired communication responses and the resurgence of problem behavior whereas contingency-based delay (CBPD) appears effective for increasing tolerance for delayed reinforcement. No direct comparison of TBPD and CBPD has, however, been conducted. Relying on single-subject designs, we compared the relative efficacy of TBPD and CBPD. Four individuals who engaged in problem behavior (e.g., aggression, vocal and motor disruptions, self-injury) participated. Results were consistent across all participants showing lower rates of problem behavior and collateral responses during CBPD than TBPD. The generality of CBPD treatment effects, including optimal rates of communication and compliance with demands, was demonstrated across a small but heterogeneous group of participants, reinforcement contingencies, and contexts. Keywords: contingency-based delay, delayed reinforcement, functional communication training, generality, schedule thinning, severe problem behavior