Document Type

Dissertation

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

PhD in Behavior Analysis

Dissertation Defense Date

2019

First Committee Member

Hanley, Gregory P.

Second Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel H.

Third Committee Member

Bourret, Jason C.

Additional Committee Member(s)

Palmer, David C.

Abstract

"When problem behavior is controlled by a synthesized reinforcement contingency, a simple omnibus mand that yields access to all reinforcers simultaneously has been shown to effectively replace problem behavior. The question arises as to whether teaching an omnibus mand will preclude the acquisition of specifying mands for each of the combined reinforcers. In this study, after three students diagnosed with autism acquired an omnibus mand (“My way, please”) that yielded all identified reinforcers simultaneously, we attempted to teach specifying mands (e.g., “All done,” “Play with me,” and “May I have my toys?”) to yield each individual reinforcer (e.g., escape, attention, and tangibles). Problem behavior was immediately eliminated for all children, and the omnibus mand was acquired quickly. Teaching an omnibus mand did not preclude acquisition of specifying mands for any learner and instead allowed for the acquisition of specifying mands once problem behavior had been effectively reduced."

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