Applied Implications of Theory and Research on the Nature of Reinforcement

150

136

This paper seeks to integrate Michael's (1982Michael's ( , 1993 discussion of the concept of the establishing operation (EO) with existing conceptual and empirical analyses of problem behavior in people with developmental disabilities. The paper begins with a summary of Michael (1993), which seeks to describe his concept of the EO and place it briefly in historical context. The role of EOs in evoking and establishing motivation for problem behavior is considered in some detail. A case is made for the greater consideration of EOs in the functional analysis of problem behavior, and specific suggestions for detecting the operation of conditioned establishing operations are offered. Turning to treatment, the paper considers the role played by EOs in existing procedures and discusses the development of treatment strategies that seek to modify EOs, extinguish EOs, and modify the responses evoked by EOs. Finally, consideration is given to the implications of EOs for the more systemic treatment and prevention of problem behavior.

Section: Social-positive Reinforcementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing Operations: Implications for the Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Problem Behavior

McGill

1999

150

136

“…For example, assessment often makes use of such responses when trying to discern the strengths and weaknesses in a student's language and academic repertoire. Other candidates that might benefit from such basic research include the users of assistive technology and augmentative and alternative Table 1 The Chapters (Numbered) Are Listed As They Appear in Lattal and Perone's (1998) Hineline and Wacker (1993): preparedness, schedules, economics, delayed reinforcement, acquisition (b) Shull and Fuqua (1993): collateral effects, adjunctive behavior (c) Hayes and Hayes (1993): delayed reinforcement, acquisition (d) Iwata and Michael (1994): response deprivation, economics (e) Nevin and Mace (1994): behavioral momentum, resistance to change (f ) Lattal and Neef (1996): behavioral history, dynamic schedules 5. Choice and Self-Control (Mazur) (a) Hineline and Wacker (1993): preparedness, choice, delayed reinforcement, probability of reinforcement (b) Hayes and Hayes (1993): delayed reinforcement, conditioned reinforcement (c) Shull and Fuqua (1993): matching law, schedule-correlated stimuli (d) Iwata and Michael (1994): microeconomics, substitutability of reinforcers, generalized matching law, conditioned reinforcement, delay-reduction theory (e) Pierce and Epling (1995): choice, matching law, maximizing, concurrent schedules (f ) Lalli and Mauro (1995): unreliable reinforcement, conditioned reinforcement, delay reduction, delayed reinforcement 6.…”

Section: Basic Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other candidates that might benefit from such basic research include the users of assistive technology and augmentative and alternative Table 1 The Chapters (Numbered) Are Listed As They Appear in Lattal and Perone's (1998) Hineline and Wacker (1993): preparedness, schedules, economics, delayed reinforcement, acquisition (b) Shull and Fuqua (1993): collateral effects, adjunctive behavior (c) Hayes and Hayes (1993): delayed reinforcement, acquisition (d) Iwata and Michael (1994): response deprivation, economics (e) Nevin and Mace (1994): behavioral momentum, resistance to change (f ) Lattal and Neef (1996): behavioral history, dynamic schedules 5. Choice and Self-Control (Mazur) (a) Hineline and Wacker (1993): preparedness, choice, delayed reinforcement, probability of reinforcement (b) Hayes and Hayes (1993): delayed reinforcement, conditioned reinforcement (c) Shull and Fuqua (1993): matching law, schedule-correlated stimuli (d) Iwata and Michael (1994): microeconomics, substitutability of reinforcers, generalized matching law, conditioned reinforcement, delay-reduction theory (e) Pierce and Epling (1995): choice, matching law, maximizing, concurrent schedules (f ) Lalli and Mauro (1995): unreliable reinforcement, conditioned reinforcement, delay reduction, delayed reinforcement 6. Negative Reinforcement and Punishment (Crosbie) (a) Shull and Fuqua (1993): response cost (b) Friman and Poling (1995): response effort, response force, response requirement (c) Lattal and Neef (1996) Hineline and Wacker (1993): observing, delay of reinforcement, information, response effort (b) Shull and Fuqua (1993): choice, instructions, rule-governed behavior (c) Hayes and Hayes (1993): delayed consequences, verbal behavior (d) Lattal and Neef (1996): instructions 13.…”

Section: Basic Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Continuous Observation of Human Behavior (Bernstein) 17. Behavioral Ecology (Hackenberg) (a) Hineline and Wacker (1993): concurrent schedules, patches, repletion, depletion, choice, generalized matching (b) Pierce and Epling (1995): concurrent schedules, matching, foraging (c) Iwata and Michael (1994): foraging 18. Pharmacology (Higgins & Hughes) (a) Kirby and Bickel (1995): drug discrimination, reinforcement, punishment, choice, economics 19.…”

Section: Basic Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Integrating Basic and Applied Research and the Utility of Lattal and Perone's Handbook of Research Methods in Human Operant Behavior

Stromer

2000

Lattal and Perone's Handbook of methods used in human operant research on behavioral processes will be a valuable resource for researchers who want to bridge laboratory developments with applied study. As a supplemental resource, investigators are also encouraged to examine the series of papers in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis that discuss basic research and its potential for application. Increased knowledge of behavioral processes in laboratory research could lead to innovative solutions to practical problems addressed by applied behavior analysts in the home, classroom, clinic, and community.DESCRIPTORS: human operant research, reinforcement and punishment, stimulus control, verbal and social behavior, integrating basic and applied research Lattal and Perone's (1998) Handbook will make the goal of integrating laboratory research on behavioral processes into application easier to achieve. The authors contributing to the Handbook have done an admirable job of illustrating the laboratory methods used in their respective areas of specialty. Each chapter provides a beneficial primer of methods that are currently used in analyses that clarify how the principles of behavior determine what humans do and what they say (publicly and privately). The knowledge gained from the methods and analyses described can help to solve the practical problems addressed by applied behavior analysts.

“…Knowing the operant function of aberrant behavior opens the door for applied researchers to conceptualize related environment-behavior interactions as basic operant processes. Research that isolates the variables influencing these processes may then prove to be relevant to applied work (see essays by Hayes & Hayes, 1993;Hineline & Wacker, 1993;Iwata & Michael, 1994;Nevin & Mace, in press;Shull & Fuqua, 1993).…”

Section: The Significance Of Functional Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The Significance and Future of Functional Analysis Methodologies

Mace

1994

177

115

and Richman (1982) presented the first comprehensive and standardized methodology for identifying operant functions of aberrant behavior. This essay discusses the significance functional analysis has had for applied behavior analysis. The methodology has lessened the field's reliance on default technologies and promoted analysis of environment-behavior interactions maintaining target responses as the basis for selecting treatments. It has also contributed to the integration of basic and applied research. Future directions for this research are suggested.