An applied evaluation of resurgence: functional communication training (FCT) and treatment relapse

Extinction is a very important component of functional communication training (FCT). Thus, the potential undesirable effects of extinction must be considered before this type of treatment is implemented. Resurgence, the recurrence of previously reinforced behavior when another behavior is placed on extinction, is a possible undesirable effect of extinction. Resurgence may account for some instances of treatment relapse in situations where problem behavior recovers following implementation of extinction-based treatments such as FCT. Despite the potential relevance of resurgence to understanding why problem behavior may re-emerge, few applied studies have examined resurgence effects. The current study attempted to determine whether resurgence of problem behavior occurred when a newly taught alternative behavior was placed on extinction or contacted a thin schedule of reinforcement and if the resurgence effect could be repeated within an individual. The present investigation also replicated and extended the results of Experiments 2 and 4 in Lieving and Lattal (2003) by examining resurgence with human participants who engaged in aberrant behavior.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2007

Author dc:creator

• Volkert, Valerie Marie

• problem behavior
• resurgence
• FCT
• autism

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Identifier

etd-06232007-110351
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/30

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-1029