Evaluating preference for and reinforcing variable leisure selection

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2021

First Committee Member

Bancroft, Stacie

Second Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Third Committee Member

Henley, Amy

Abstract

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, social skills, and restricted and/or repetitive behaviors and interests (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). By extension, individuals with autism commonly exhibit restricted interests in leisure item selection. The current study assessed participants’ preference for varied vs. restricted leisure selections across multiple contexts. In addition, a lag schedule of reinforcement was implemented to increase variable selection within specific contexts for each participant. Participants were two 17-year-old boys with autism who attended a residential school for students with developmental disabilities. Various preference assessments were conducted with each participant to measure preference for variable versus restricted leisure selection across a variety of contexts. One participant demonstrated preference for variation in leisure item selection across some contexts, while the second participant demonstrated restricted interest across all contexts. Both participants demonstrated restricted interest during their typical scheduled leisure times. A lag schedule of reinforcement was implemented to target those specific times for each participant. Following the intervention, both participants engaged in variable selection of leisure items during their scheduled leisure times. The participants continued to engage in variable selection of leisure items during a component analysis as well as generalization probes. Experimental control was demonstrated using an ABAB design during implementation of the lag schedule of reinforcement."

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