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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 2002 Summer;35(2):155–169. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2002.35-155

Concurrent reinforcement schedules: behavior change and maintenance without extinction.

Hannah Hoch 1, Jennifer J McComas 1, Andrea L Thompson 1, Debra Paone 1
PMCID: PMC1284372  PMID: 12102135

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of concurrent schedules of reinforcement on negatively reinforced problem behavior and task completion with 3 children with autism. Results indicated that problem behavior occurred at high levels and relatively few tasks were completed when problem behavior produced a break (from tasks) and task completion produced either no consequence or a break. By contrast, problem behavior was eliminated and tasks were completed when problem behavior produced a break and task completion produced a break with access to preferred activities. Treatment gains were maintained without the use of extinction when the response requirement was increased and the schedule of reinforcement was thinned.

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Selected References

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