Increasing Compliance: A Quantitative Synthesis of Applied Research on High-Probability Request Sequences

Abstract

Methods to enhance compliance is a topic of great interest to practitioners serving children and adults both with and without disabilities. High-probability (high-p) request sequences are one way practitioners can prevent episodes of noncompliant behavior. Based on the theory of behavioral momentum, high-p request sequences consist of delivering a series of requests to a student that generally results in compliance (high-p) just prior to a request with a low-probability (low-p) of compliance. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively synthesize the effects of high-p request sequences on low-p behaviors across different categories of participants, settings, and procedural variations. Overall, high-p request sequences were found to be an effective method to increase compliance. Implications for both research and practice are discussed.