Mand training is often a primary focus in early language instruction and typically includes mands that are positively reinforced. However, mands maintained by negative reinforcement are also important skills to teach. These include mands to escape aversive demands or unwanted items. Another type of negatively reinforced mand important to teach…

AN EXPERIMENT TO COMPARE SPACED NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT, MASSED NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT, AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT IN AUTOMATED TEACHING IS DESCRIBED. THREE GROUPS OF COLLEGE FRESHMEN WERE USED IN THE STUDY. EACH GROUP WAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL CONTAINING AMBIGUOUS IMFORMATION INTERSPERSED AMONG MEANINGFUL INFORMATION. ONE GROUP RECEIVED A…