Reinforcer Strength in Transfer of Stimulus Control From Tacts to Mands

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of reinforcer strength in transfer of stimulus control from tacts to mands conditions. Three children diagnosed with autism were initially taught to tact most and least preferred abstract stimulus properties of preferred items that had been identified in two preference assessments. Subsequently, we ran probe trials to determine whether the participants would exhibit the same topographical responses under mand conditions. Previous mand responses that did not include the abstract stimulus properties were placed on extinction. Our results show that tact responses may emerge as mands for those abstract stimulus properties identified as most preferred, but not for those that were identified as least preferred. Results are discusses in terms of the role of motivating operations, and potentially, extinction, as variables that facilitate transfer of stimulus control from tacts and mands.