Document Type

Dissertation

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

PhD in Behavior Analysis

Dissertation Defense Date

2017

First Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen M.

Second Committee Member

Hanley, Gregory P.

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel H.

Additional Committee Member(s)

Bourret, Jason

Abstract

"We extended research on the identification and evaluation of potential punishers for decreasing automatically reinforced problem behavior in 4 individuals with autism spectrum disorder. A punisher selection interview was conducted with lead clinicians to identify socially acceptable punishers. During the treatment evaluation, treatment phases were introduced sequentially and included: noncontingent reinforcement (NCR), NCR and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA), and NCR and DRA with punishment. During the NCR and DRA with punishment phase, 4 to 5 potential punishers were evaluated using a multielement design. Dependent measures included the target problem behavior, appropriate item engagement, and emotional responding. For all participants, NCR and DRA was not effective and punishment was necessary. However, the most effective punisher identified in the context of NCR and DRA differed across participants."

Download

Share

COinS