Evaluation of three strategies for presenting activity transmissions

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2014

First Committee Member

Dickson, Chata

Second Committee Member

Hanley, Gregory

Third Committee Member

Sassi, Jessica

Abstract

"This thesis evaluated effects of three methods of presenting activity transitions, replicating Steimer and Dickson (2013), and extended Steimer and Dickson by evaluating participant preference for type of activity transition. The three methods of presenting transition were presented in a multi-element design: advance notice, no notice, and intervening activity. Two young men aged 19 and 17, diagnosed with autism, participated in the study. Pausing between activities was measured, and transitions with longer pausing were considered to be less successful, as these increased the time to the next programmed reinforcer. For both participants, duration of pausing was shortest during the intervening activity condition (M = 3.6 and 2.0 s, for Participants 1 and 2). Pausing was greatest for Participant 1 in advance notice (M = 11.2 s), followed by no notice (M = 4.6 s). Pausing was greatest for Participant 2 during no notice (M = 2.6 s), followed by advance notice (M = 2.3 s). In Phase 2, Participant preference was assessed using a concurrent-chains analysis. Participant 1 preferred the no notice condition (selected in 6/8 opportunities), and Participant 2 preferred the intervening activity condition (6/6 opportunities). The concurrent-chains analysis produced a clear preference for each participant. Participant involvement in the treatment selection process may improve the social validity of the treatment."

This document is available upon request to Western New England University faculty, students, and staff. Please contact D'Amour Library at dref@wne.edu for access.

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