Using synchronous reinforcement to increase mask wearing in young children: A replication and extension

This study examined a conjugate approach for evaluating auditory stimulus preference for 81 participants using force as a continuous response dimension. First, the researchers used a verbal preference assessment to evaluate each participant's preference for listening to five genres of music. This process identified high‐preference and low‐preference music for each participant. Thereafter, the researchers exposed each participant to the five music genres in a randomized order while using a hand dynamometer to measure their response force to increase the auditory clarity of the music. The results indicate (a) 63% of the participants' high‐preference music genres corresponded to the genre for which they exerted the highest mean force and (b) most participants' low‐preference music genres corresponded to the genre for which they exerted the lowest mean force. These findings are consistent with those from Davis et al. (2021) and further support using conjugate preparations for measuring the relative value of some stimulus events.

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confidence: 99%

Comparing stimulus preference and response force in a conjugate preparation: A replication with auditory stimulation

Cook,

Baruni,

Pinkston

et al. 2024

“…One type of schedule of covariation is a synchronous schedule wherein the onset and offset of a consequent stimulus is synced with the onset and offset of behavior (Rapp, 2008). Researchers have used synchronous schedules to increase on-task academic behavior for students (Diaz de Villegas et al, 2020;Hardesty et al, 2023), eye contact in infants (e.g., Pel aez-Nogueras et al, 1996, 1997, and health-related behavior in children, such as mask wearing (Leslie et al, 2023;McHugh et al, 2022).…”

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confidence: 99%

Assessing stimulus preference using response force in a conjugate preparation: A replication and extension

Sheridan,

Rapp,

Edgemon

et al. 2024

The current study examined 98 participants' preferences for five pictorial stimuli. The researchers used a verbal multiple‐stimulus‐without‐replacement (VMSWO) preference assessment with each participant to identify high‐preference and low‐preference pictorial stimuli. Next, participants viewed each pictorial stimulus in a randomized order on a computer while using a hand dynamometer that measured the amount of force they exerted to increase or maintain the visual clarity of each image. The results indicate that over 75% of participants' force response ranks corresponded with participants' VMSWO high‐preference stimuli, VMSWO low‐preference stimuli, or both. The results of the current study provide further evidence for the use of conjugate schedules in the assessment of stimulus preference with potential for use as a reinforcer assessment. Implications along with directions for future research and limitations of the findings are discussed.

Application of synchronous music reinforcement to increase walking speed: A novel approach for training intensity

Pinkston,

Cook,

Baruni

et al. 2024

Walking is a common and preferred form of exercise. Although there are current recommendations for walking volume (e.g., steps per day), recent research has begun to distinguish volume from intensity (e.g., “brisk” walking) as an important dimension of exercise. Increasing intensity may confer health advantages beyond volume measures because it shifts cardiovascular performance to more vigorous training zones. Reinforcement‐based approaches have been valuable in increasing volume measures of exercise, and the present study sought to develop a corresponding reinforcement approach to training walking intensity. For this study, we used a continuous reinforcement paradigm where music played only while walking met specified criteria; otherwise, music playback stopped. As a result, music was synchronized with walking performance. Seventeen participants walked on a nonmotorized treadmill at a self‐selected pace. Across the session, different conditions arranged for music to play independent of walking speed or contingent on speed increases or decreases. An extinction component assessed performance when music was withdrawn completely. Walking speed was selectively increased and decreased by adjusting the contingencies that were arranged for music, and variability in speed increased during extinction, with both findings indicating that music was a reinforcer. Heart rate was also increased to moderate–vigorous intensities during reinforcement. The findings provide a compelling case that walking intensity can be modified by music reinforcement. We suggest that synchronous schedules may be an important foundation for future exercise technologies that are based on reinforcement.