A comparison of two behaviour reduction procedures: traditional extinction alone and interpolated reinforcement followed by extinction.

Abstract

Extinction responding of children with severe retardation was compared when one component of a multiple schedule (VR-20/VR-20) was interpolated with one session of additional reinforcement. Either variable ratio 10 (VR-10), variable ratio 5 (VR-5) or continuous reinforcement (CRF) were interpolated in one component prior to extinction in both. Interpolated reinforcement resulted in an extinction process at least as efficient as traditional methods. Total responding in the VR-10 and VR-5 components was less than in the comparable unchanged components. Results support and extend research with animals and humans. Results also suggest the feasibility of using such a procedure to gain control of behaviours that are controlled by intermittent schedules of reinforcement, are under multiple or inconsistent stimulus control or occur infrequently.