A Translational Model of Treatment Integrity Failures During Differential Reinforcement Without Extinction

Abstract

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) has been evaluated as an intervention for problem behavior at optimal and reduced treatment integrity (e.g., St. Peter Pipkin et al., 2010; Vollmer et al., 1999; Worsdell et al., 2000). However, even at reduced treatment integrity, DRA may not always be a feasible intervention due to possible side effects extinction (Athens & Vollmer, 2010). Additionally, problems may arise during reduced treatment integrity if the schedule of reinforcement favors problem behavior rather than appropriate behavior (St. Peter Pipkin et al., 2010; Vollmer et al., 1999). Researchers have demonstrated the efficacy of DRA without extinction by manipulating dimensions of reinforcement on concurrently available schedules (e.g., Athens & Vollmer, 2010; Briggs et al., 2019). The present study extends research on DRA without extinction by evaluating DRA without extinction at reduced levels of treatment integrity. A systematic replication of St. Peter Pipkin et al.’s (2010) human operant procedure was conducted to evaluate errors of omission on the schedule associated with appropriate behavior, problem behavior, and both behaviors. Results thus far suggest treatment integrity errors for appropriate behavior are more detrimental to maintaining optimal treatment effects of DRA without extinction than treatment integrity errors for problem behavior or for both behaviors.