Document Type

Dissertation

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

PhD in Behavior Analysis

Dissertation Defense Date

2014

First Committee Member

Bourret, Jason C.

Second Committee Member

N/A

Third Committee Member

N/A

Additional Committee Member(s)

N/A

Abstract

"Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) emit repetitive and restricted behavior patterns. Although some research has targeted increasing response variability, limited research designed to treat restricted or repetitive manding exists. For eight individuals diagnosed with ASD or Multiplex Developmental Disorder, we evaluated the effectiveness of four experiments designed to increase the rate of targeted, low-probability mands in a multioperant environment. In Experiment 1, an examination of schedule manipulations, we evaluated the effects of concurrent FR 1 RI 30-s and concurrent FR 1 EXT schedules. In Experiment 2, an examination of discriminative stimulus manipulations, we evaluated the effects of prompts and prompts plus the removal of nontarget stimuli from participant visual fields. In Experiment 3, an examination of motivating operation manipulations, we evaluated the effects of deprivation of the target stimulus and a concomitant FR 1 NCR schedule. In Experiment 4, an examination of combined behavioral process manipulations, we evaluated the combined effects of a concurrent FR 1 RI 30-s schedule plus prompts to mand the target stimulus. Schedule manipulations were effective in producing increased rates of targeted mands for 3 of 8 participants, whereas discriminative stimulus manipulations were effective for 4 of 8 participants. Motivating operation manipulations were effective in producing increased rates of targeted mands for 2 of 8 participants. Schedule and discriminative stimulus manipulations in conjunction were effective for the single participant in producing increased rates of the targeted mand."

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