ERIC Number: EJ697206
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-8855
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The Effects of Reinforcement Magnitude on Functional Analysis Outcomes
Volkert, Valerie M.; Lerman, Dorothea C.; Vorndran, Christina
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, v38 n2 p147 Sum 2005
The duration or magnitude of reinforcement has varied and often appears to have been selected arbitrarily in functional analysis research. Few studies have evaluated the effects of reinforcement magnitude on problem behavior, even though basic findings indicate that this parameter may affect response rates during functional analyses. In the current study, 6 children with autism or developmental disabilities who engaged in severe problem behavior were exposed to three separate functional analyses, each of which varied in reinforcement magnitude. Results of these functional analyses were compared to determine if a particular reinforcement magnitude was associated with the most conclusive outcomes. In most cases, the same conclusion about the functions of problem behavior was drawn regardless of the reinforcement magnitude.
Descriptors: Reinforcement, Developmental Disabilities, Autism, Behavior Modification, Behavior Problems, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Children
Department of Applied Behavioral Science, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., KU, Lawrence, KS 66045-2133. Web site: http://seab.envmed.rochester.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Author Affiliations: N/A