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. 1998 Winter;31(4):529–542. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1998.31-529

Fixed-time schedules attenuate extinction-induced phenomena in the treatment of severe aberrant behavior.

T R Vollmer 1, P R Progar 1, J S Lalli 1, C M Van Camp 1, B J Sierp 1, C S Wright 1, J Nastasi 1, K J Eisenschink 1
PMCID: PMC1284146  PMID: 9891392

Abstract

We compared the effects of extinction (EXT) and fixed-time (FT) schedules as treatment for severe problem behavior displayed by 3 individuals with developmental disabilities. First, functional analyses identified the reinforcers maintaining aberrant behavior for all 3 individuals. Next, EXT and FT schedules were compared using a multielement design. During EXT, the reinforcer maintaining problem behavior was withheld. During FT, the reinforcers were presented response independently at preset intervals. Results showed that FT schedules were generally more effective than EXT schedules in reducing aberrant behavior. FT schedules may be used in situations when extinction-induced phenomena are problematic.

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Selected References

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