A Comparison of Dense‐to‐lean and Fixed Lean Schedules of Alternative Reinforcement and Extinction

Abstract

Behavior-reduction interventions typically employ dense schedules of alternative reinforcement in conjunction with operant extinction for problem behavior. After problem behavior is reduced in the initial treatment stages, schedule thinning is routinely conducted to make the intervention more practical in natural environments. In the current investigation, two methods for thinning alternative reinforcement schedules were compared for 3 clients who exhibited severe problem behavior. In the dense-to-lean (DTL) condition, reinforcement was delivered on relatively dense schedules (using noncontingent reinforcement for 1 participant and functional communication training for 2 participants), followed by systematic schedule thinning to progressively leaner schedules. During the fixed lean (FL) condition, reinforcement was delivered on lean schedules (equivalent to the terminal schedule of the DTL condition). The FL condition produced a quicker attainment of individual treatment goals for 2 of the 3 participants. The results are discussed in terms of the potential utility of using relatively lean schedules at treatment outset.

Reinforcement Schedule Thinning Following Functional Communication Training: Review and Recommendations

“…In our review, we found five studies describing eight applications of FCT that used multiple schedules as a means of thinning reinforcement schedules and maintaining low rates of problem behavior (see Table). In some of the applications (5 of 8), the use of multiple schedules resulted in the successful achievement of treatment goals with FCT and extinction without supplemental treatment components (Hagopian, Toole, Long, Bowman, & Lieving, 2004;Hanley et al, 2001;Jarmolowicz et al, 2009). However similar to the previous two schedule-thinning methods, for some applications (3 of 8), treatment goals were not met until supplemental components were added (e.g., adding competing or alternative stimuli; Fisher et al, 1998;Hagopian et al, 2005).…”

“…Hagopian et al (2004) compared the effects of progressive schedule thinning (similar to that described above) to an abrupt shift to the terminal schedule. For one of two cases, the clinical goal was attained more rapidly in the abruptly shifting condition than in the progressive thinning condition.…”

“…Understanding why problem behavior reemerges during schedule thinning is important for thinning schedules following FCT. Hagopian et al (2004) suggested that problem behavior may not be sufficiently extinguished in the early stages of FCT (prior to schedule thinning) because immediate nearzero levels of problem behavior may occur with FCT. It is also possible that in establishing an alternative communication response that is functionally equivalent to problem behavior (prior to extinguishing problem behavior), the alternative response and problem behavior may become members of the same functional response class (Hagopian et al, 1998).…”

“…After problem behavior returns to lower levels, progression toward the terminal schedule can be resumed (e.g., Hagopian et al, 2004). However, increases in problem behavior and disruptions in the alternative response may persist such that the schedule cannot be thinned to the terminal goal.…”

The Effectiveness of and Preschoolers' Preferences for Variations of Multiple‐schedule Arrangements

“…Although it is described here for use during teaching situations, this type of multipleschedule procedure has been used in the treatment of severe problem behavior (e.g., Fisher, Kuhn, & Thompson, 1998;Hagopian, Toole, Long, Bowman, & Lieving, 2004;Hanley, Iwata, & Thompson, 2001;Neidert, Iwata, & Dozier, 2005) and in teaching verbal skills to children with autism (Sidener, Shabani, Carr, & Roland, in press). One similarity that exists among these studies is that all involved the presentation of both an S+ (a discriminative stimulus correlated with reinforcement) and an S2 (a discriminative stimulus correlated with extinction).…”