Effects of Noncontingent Reinforcement with Competing Stimuli for Decreasing Problem Behavior Maintained by Social Positive Reinforcement

Abstract

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is an evidenced-based procedure that has been shown to be effective for reducing problem behavior maintained by social positive reinforcement (Carr et al., 2009). NCR typically involves the delivery of the functional reinforcer on a dense (often continuous) schedule (Carr et al., 2000) that is not feasible in all environments; thus, researchers have evaluated NCR with alternative stimuli (i.e., stimuli not responsible for maintaining the behavior) to implement during times in which the functional reinforcer is unavailable (e.g., Hanley et al., 1997). The purpose of the current evaluation is to replicate and extend this literature by (a) evaluating the use of NCR with alternative reinforcers (identified via a competing-stimulus assessment; Fisher et al., 2000) for decreasing the socially-maintained problem behavior of four adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and (b) determine the generality of these interventions under longer session duration and with various therapists in various settings. Preliminary data suggest the efficacy and generality of providing access to noncontingent attention when the functional reinforcer is unavailable for one participant who engaged in problem behavior maintained by tangibles.