The Effects of the Density of Reinforcement on the Maladaptive Behaviors of a Child With Autism

The present study consists of two experiments that analyze the effects of high and low densities of reinforcemnt on the maladaptive behaviors of a 9 year old girl with autism. The first experiment investigates the isolated effects of density of reinforcement on the frequency of maladaptive behaviors during a motor imitation teaching task. High densities of reinforcement produced fewer occurrences of maladaptive behavior than low densities of reinforcement. Experiment 2 analyzes the effects of density of reinforcement during the same teaching tasks as in experiment 1 on maladaptive behavior, task accuracy, prompt resistance, and language. Maladaptive behavior did not recur during experiment 2. High density of reinforcement conditions during the second experiment showed a positive effect on the accuracy of responding and compliance with prompts.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2000

Author dc:creator

• Motiejunas, Kristina M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ala'i-Rosales, Shahla
• Greenspoon, Joel

• Autistic children -- Behavior modification -- Case studies.
• Autism in children -- Treatment -- Case studies.
• Reinforcement (Psychology) -- Case studies.
• autism
• density of reinforcement
• maladaptive behaviors
• task accuracy

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Motiejunas, Kristina M.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 47656537
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2707/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2707

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2707