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| Functional Reinforcement: An Extension of Slocum and Vollmer (2015) and Call to Clinical Research |
| Monday, May 26, 2025 |
| 8:30 AM–8:50 AM |
| Convention Center, Street Level, 149 AB |
| Area: PCH |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| CE Instructor: Rebecca L Beights, Ph.D. |
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| Functional Reinforcement: An Extension of Slocum and Vollmer (2015) and Call to Clinical Research |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| GEOFF POTTER (The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support), Rebecca L Beights (The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support), Matthew John Spicer (The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support), Nicole McKillop (The Center for Positive Behaviour Support (CPBS)) |
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| Abstract: During functional analyses, hypothesised functional reinforcers are delivered contingently to test hypotheses and immediately “turn off” behaviours of concern. Assessment procedures emphasise contingent reinforcer delivery for these behaviours of concern and clearly underscore the impact of the functional reinforcers on behaviour (e.g., Iwata et al., 1982/1994; Sigafoos et al., 1995; Hanley et al., 2003; Warner et al., 2020). In contrast, intervention literature shows more limited recognition of the value of contingent delivery of functional reinforcers to decrease frequency and episodic severity of behaviours of concern. Few studies challenge the fallacy that providing the functional reinforcer contingently increases the future frequency and/or magnitude of the behaviour of concern. Thus, the current study sought to extend Slocum and Vollmer’s (2015) research demonstrating decreases in the behaviour of concern (noncompliance) following delivery of escape as the functional reinforcer. A multielement reversal design was used with three young participants (ages 5 – 12 years) with escape-maintained behaviour. Results show the differential impact of functional reinforcer delivery on the frequency and episodic severity of the behaviour across three alternating intervention conditions. Implications of the research extension and intervention design will be discussed. Recommendations for future clinical and applied research with functional reinforcement will be presented. |
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| Target Audience: Audience members should have an understanding of applied behaviour analysis that includes conceptual and applied competency with functional analysis and functional reinforcement contingencies. |
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