This study examined how the amount of effort required to produce a reinforcer influenced subsequent preference for, and strength of, that reinforcer in 7 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Preference assessments identified four moderately preferred stimuli for each participant, and progressive-ratio (PR) analyses indexed reinforcer…

This paper provides an overview of behavioral strategies used for reducing hand-related stereotypies (i.e., hand/finger mouthing, eye poking, self-slapping, and other hand-to-head/body responses) of persons with severe to profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Computerized and manual searches were conducted to identify the studies…

This article reviews evidence from basic and translational research with pigeons and humans suggesting that the persistence of operant behavior depends on the contingency between stimuli and reinforcers, and considers some implications for clinical interventions. (Contains 4 figures.)

The value of a reinforcer may change based on antecedent events, specifically the behavior of others (Bruzek & Thompson, 2007). In the current study, we examined the effects of manipulating the behavior of the therapist on problem behavior while all dimensions of reinforcement were held constant. Both participants' levels of problem behaviors…

Each instance of out-of-seat behavior of four hyperactive moderately/severely mentally retarded eight and nine year olds resulted in return to seat followed by 15-second physical restraint. Out-of-seat behavior of all four Ss increased during two implementations of the restraint contingency compared to levels during alternative baseline periods.…

The paper reviews 34 behavioral treatment studies (1967-1983) examining reduction of aggressive behavior in mentally retarded people. Research reviewed was limited to treatment of physically aggressive responses such as hits, kicks, bites, chokes, scratches, and throwing objects by persons designated as mentally retarded. Among results reported…

Results of a study comparing the outcome of a reinforcement (do only) procedure with correspondence (say/do) training indicated no apparent differences in generalization between two groups of mentally retarded adults (N=12). Rule-governed behavior, rather than verbal regulation of behavior, may best account for behavior changes seen in…

A differential schedule of time-out was effective in reducing target maladaptive behaviors in three mentally retarded students (ages 5-9). In addition, by permitting one behavior to occur within an interval which occasioned only a warning, students were allowed to develop self-control within a structured setting. (Author)

The literature on the use of physical restraint with adults and children with mental retardation is reviewed, including person-to-person restraint, mechanical devices, and voluntary self-restraint. Conclusions regarding outcomes of contingent and noncontingent restraint, maintenance, reinforcing effects of restraint, and risk of injury are…

This review discusses the history of noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) and summaries findings from treatment research. It describes the use of NCR as a control procedure, NCR as a function-based treatment, considerations in the programming of NCR schedules, behavior-change mechanisms underlying NCR effects, and directions for future research.…

Contingent reinforcement was used in training eight severely retarded children (4-14 years old) who were previously judged to be nonimitative. (Author)

The study evaluated a commonly used component of brief time-out, in which release from time-out is delayed contingent on the occurrence of the disruption. Data were collected for one normal and two mentally retarded children on time-out producing behaviors and delay-producing behaviors during time-out. (Author/CL)

Two functional communication training (FCT) conditions were compared to treat behavior problems of a child with mental retardation. The child was taught to emit a single FCT response to obtain one of six items or multiple FCT responses that specified the exact item. Only the FCT-multiple conditions reduced problem behavior. (Contains four…

Meta-analysis of 482 empirical studies on treatment of problem behaviors of individuals with mental retardation found that externally destructive behaviors are less successfully treated than socially disruptive and internally maladaptive behaviors. Also, response contingent procedures were significantly more effective than other procedures.…

A survey of 55 Louisiana members of the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) indicated disagreement with an AAMR position statement condemning inhumane forms of aversive therapy. AAMR is urged to reconsider its position concerning the scope of aversive therapy, need for further research, and use of aversive therapy with some…