Association for Behavior Analysis International

In this series of presentations, one study investigating variables affecting choice and two studies exploring variables affecting resurgence of previously extinguished behavior, will be presented with an interest in better understanding two phenomena relevant to applied settings. Patrick Romani (University of Iowa) will present a behavioral economic analysis of the effects of unit price on choice when providing the opportunity to choose work in order to earn preferred reinforcers to participants referred for noncompliance with academic tasks. Kathryn Kestner (Western Michigan University) will present a nonhuman laboratory assessment of a potential method for reducing unwanted resurgence. This study looked at the effects of superimposing a punishment schedule on a differential reinforcement of alternative behavior procedure on resurgence of the target response when the alternative behavior was put on extinction. Ryan Redner (Western Michigan University) will present data from an investigation exploring the conditions under which punishment-induced resurgence may occur. Jennifer McComas as the discussant will provide a general summary of the findings of these studies, as well as reactions regarding potential implications and areas for future research. The implications for applied research and practice as well as further translational work will be a main focus.

The current study investigated the use of unit price (UP) to evaluate two childrens preference for attention, tangible items, and escape from demands (Participant 2 only). Participants were referred to a behavioral outpatient clinic to address noncompliance with academic demands. Interobserver agreement was calculated across 30% of all sessions and averaged 100%. During Phase One, each participants preference for reinforcers was evaluated under low response requirements. In a concurrent operants design, each participant was presented with academic work and preference for the previously mentioned reinforcers was evaluated under a UP of 1. During Phase Two, in a concurrent operants design, the UP for the most preferred reinforcer was systematically increased, while the concurrently available reinforcers remained at a UP of 1. Results identified two patterns of responding. Participant 1s choices between reinforcers were influenced by UP. Preference for either reinforcer was not sufficiently motivating to compete with increasing task requirements. Participant 2 chose to complete work until a UP of 2. Preference for attention competed with concurrently available reinforcers at a lower UP. These findings suggest that evaluating preferences for reinforcers under different schedule requirements may be an efficient strategy for developing behavioral interventions in settings such as outpatient clinics.