Date of Award
Spring 3-25-2021
Thesis Type
Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science
Department
Health Professions
Committee Member(s)
Kara Wunderlich
Stephanie Kincaid
Angie Campanale
Abstract
Children may develop maladaptive behaviors to obtain attention from adults. With respect to problem behavior, research has shown that noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is an effective intervention that reduces problem behavior through disruption of the relation between the behavior and the consequence. This study evaluated the treatment effects of NCR without extinction across extended, 2 hour, sessions for participants whose problem behavior is maintained by social-positive reinforcement, specifically attention. In addition, this study also emphasized the importance of extended sessions due to the reality of the caregiver/child interaction being longer than the typical 5- to 15-min sessions. The results of this study suggest that implementing NCR across extended sessions will reduce problem behavior maintained by social-positive reinforcement in the form of attention.
Recommended Citation
O'Donnell, Kelly, "Noncontingent Reinforcement in the Treatment of Attention Maintained Problem Behavior: Schedule Thinning Within Extended Sessions" (2021). Thesis Projects. 29.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/mabacs_thesis/29
Rights Holder
Kelly O'Donnell
Comments
Portions of this research project were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. Appropriate precautions were implemented to protect the health of both researchers and participants. Consequently, the thesis requirements and expectations for Rollins College students were modified during this academic year to ensure quality research experience while also maintaining safety.