1
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Smith SW, Arroyo Antúnez BE, DeBartelo J, Sullivan WE, Roane HS, Craig AR. Synthesized alternative reinforcement and resurgence. J Exp Anal Behav 2024. [PMID: 39086124 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.4202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
In treatments based on differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, applied researchers and clinicians often provide multiple, qualitatively different reinforcers (i.e., synthesized reinforcement) rather than a single reinforcer (i.e., isolated reinforcement) contingent on alternative behavior. Some research shows that providing synthesized reinforcement for alternative responses within such treatments produces more rapid and complete suppression of target behavior; however, there is limited research evaluating the durability of these effects during treatment disruptions. Conceptual explanations of resurgence (e.g., resurgence as choice, context theory) suggest that treatments that include synthesized alternative reinforcement may lead to more resurgence of target behavior when alternative reinforcement is disrupted relative to treatments using isolated reinforcement. We evaluated this hypothesis within a three-phase resurgence evaluation. We exposed rats to isolated or synthesized reinforcement for alternative responding in the second phase, and we exposed rats to extinction in the third phase. Synthesized alternative reinforcement produced more rapid and complete suppression of target behavior than did isolated reinforcement in the second phase; however, exposure to extinction following synthesized reinforcement produced more resurgence. We discuss these results in terms of their implications for applied research and their support for current conceptual explanations for resurgence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean W Smith
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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2
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Greer BD, Shahan TA, Helvey CI, Fisher WW, Mitteer DR, Fuhrman AM. Resurgence of destructive behavior following decreases in alternative reinforcement: A prospective analysis. J Appl Behav Anal 2024; 57:599-614. [PMID: 38742859 PMCID: PMC11260242 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Basic and retrospective translational research has shown that the magnitude of resurgence is determined by the size of the decrease in alternative reinforcement, with larger decreases producing more resurgence. However, this finding has not been evaluated prospectively with a clinical population. In Experiment 1, five participants experienced a fixed progression of reinforcement schedule-thinning steps during treatment of their destructive behavior. Resurgence occurred infrequently across steps and participants, and when resurgence did occur, its clinical meaningfulness was often minimal. In Experiment 2, five new participants experienced these same schedule-thinning steps but in a counterbalanced order. Resurgence occurred most often and was generally largest with larger decreases in alternative reinforcement programmed earlier in the evaluation. Large decreases in alternative reinforcement may be more problematic clinically when they occur earlier in treatment. Whether larger transitions can be recommended in the clinic following the success of smaller ones will require additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Greer
- Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Casey Irwin Helvey
- Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Wayne W. Fisher
- Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel R. Mitteer
- Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ashley M. Fuhrman
- Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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3
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Laureano B, Ringdahl J, Falligant JM. Examination of clinical variables affecting resurgence: A reanalysis of 46 applications. J Appl Behav Anal 2024; 57:742-750. [PMID: 38808478 PMCID: PMC11260239 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.1091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Despite the efficacy of behavioral interventions, resurgence of challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury) following successful treatment can still occur. Applied work has focused on identifying treatment-related variables thought to affect the occurrence and magnitude of resurgence. The current study describes the relation between several variables (i.e., phase duration, response rates in baseline and treatment, obtained rates of reinforcement, downshift in reinforcement step size) and resurgence in a retrospective consecutive controlled case series of 46 treatment applications for challenging behavior conducted in an inpatient setting. Only the downshift in reinforcement (e.g., schedule-thinning) step size was correlated with the magnitude of resurgence. These results are consistent with recent findings suggesting that treatment duration and other factors have inconsistent effects on resurgence of challenging behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Laureano
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joel Ringdahl
- Center for Autism and Behavioral Education Research, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - John M. Falligant
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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4
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Morris C, Jones SH, Oliveira JP. A Practitioner's Guide to Measuring Procedural Fidelity. Behav Anal Pract 2024; 17:643-655. [PMID: 38966272 PMCID: PMC11219619 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-024-00910-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Ensuring high levels of procedural fidelity during behavior-analytic interventions is a crucial component of providing effective behavior-analytic services. However, few resources are available to help guide practitioners through measuring procedural fidelity. In fact, most published behavior-analytic research on procedural fidelity analyzes a single treatment procedure, which might not completely reflect the process of monitoring and addressing the procedural fidelity of a robust treatment package that might be necessary in clinical settings. The purpose of this article is to guide behavior analysts through the process of creating and using procedural fidelity measurement systems, with a focus on direct observation of implementation as a means of fidelity data collection. This process consists of six steps: (1) task analyze treatment procedures into measurable units; (2) assign measures to each treatment component; (3) plan the direct observation; (4) collect procedural fidelity data; (5) analyze and interpret procedural fidelity data; and (6) take action to improve procedural fidelity. Each step is described and discussed in the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Morris
- Department of Psychology, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 USA
| | - Stephanie H. Jones
- Department of Psychology, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 USA
| | - Jacob P. Oliveira
- Department of Psychology, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 USA
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5
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Muething C, Ritchey CM, Call NA, Hardee AM, Mauzy CR, Argueta T, McMahon MXH, Podlesnik CA. A retrospective analysis of the relation between resurgence and renewal of behavior targeted for reduction. J Appl Behav Anal 2024; 57:455-462. [PMID: 38438320 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.1069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Functional communication training (FCT) is an evidence-based treatment for behavior targeted for reduction that often combines extinction for target responses and arranges functionally equivalent reinforcement for alternative behavior. Long-term effectiveness of FCT can become compromised when transitioning from clinic to nonclinic contexts or thinning reinforcement schedules for appropriate behavior. Such increases in targeted behavior have been conceptualized as renewal and resurgence, respectively. The relation between resurgence and renewal has yet to be reported. Therefore, the present report retrospectively analyzed the relation between renewal and resurgence in data collected when implementing FCT with children diagnosed with developmental disabilities. We found no relation when evaluating all 34 individuals assessed for resurgence and renewal or a subset of individuals exhibiting both resurgence and renewal. These findings suggest that one form of relapse may not be predictive of another form of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Muething
- Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nathan A Call
- Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexandra M Hardee
- Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Courtney R Mauzy
- Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tracy Argueta
- Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Meara X H McMahon
- Marcus Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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6
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Kranak MP, Brown KR. Updated Recommendations for Reinforcement Schedule Thinning following Functional Communication Training. Behav Anal Pract 2024; 17:87-106. [PMID: 38405284 PMCID: PMC10891008 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-023-00863-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Schedule thinning is a necessary treatment procedure following the acquisition of a communication response during functional communication training. In this article, we update and extend the Hagopian et al. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 4, 4-16, (2011) review and recommendations on schedule-thinning procedures following functional communication training. Since their publication, substantial research has been published on the efficacy, efficiency, and social validity of schedule-thinning methods. We provide updated recommendations for schedule thinning based on contemporary literature that has been published since 2011, as well as discuss key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Kranak
- Oakland University, Rochester, MI USA
- Oakland University Center for Autism, Rochester, MI USA
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7
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King H, Martone L, Laureano B, Falligant JM. A systematic review of enhanced resurgence paradigms. J Exp Anal Behav 2024; 121:266-278. [PMID: 38287780 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Following successful treatment in which problem behavior is reduced, it may reemerge as a function of changes in contextual stimuli or the worsening of reinforcement conditions for an alternative response. Although understudied, preliminary research suggests that simultaneous changes in contextual stimuli and reinforcement conditions may represent particularly exigent treatment challenges that create the condition for additive or superadditive relapse. The purpose of the present review was to systematically examine the relapse literature involving simultaneous changes in contextual stimuli and reinforcement conditions in relapse tests and experimental preparations arranged to evaluate their effect on response recovery. We identified 16 empirical articles spanning 27 experiments. Although all experiments included at least one condition that experienced a change in contextual stimuli and worsening of alternative reinforcement conditions, only two experiments included the comparison conditions needed to precisely evaluate additive and superadditive relapse. Our findings establish the preclinical generality of relapse effects associated with simultaneous changes to reinforcement conditions and contextual stimuli across a range of subjects, schedule arrangements, response topographies, reinforcers, and types of contextual changes. We make several recommendations for future research based on our findings from this nascent and clinically relevant subdomain of the relapse literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter King
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lauren Martone
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Brianna Laureano
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John Michael Falligant
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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8
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Smith SW, Greer BD. Translational evaluation of on/off alternative reinforcement cycling. J Exp Anal Behav 2023; 120:429-439. [PMID: 37680018 PMCID: PMC10840708 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Cycling between the availability and unavailability of reinforcement for alternative responding has successfully reduced resurgence in basic laboratory evaluations, but this approach represents a marked departure from current standards of care when treating problem behavior, warranting careful translation before its use clinically. Therefore, with extinction arranged for target responding across groups in Phase 2, we evaluated the effects of cycling between the availability and unavailability of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) using a computer-based task with adult humans recruited through Amazon MTurk. Two control groups experienced constant DRA in Phase 2, with one group experiencing a dense DRA schedule and another group experiencing a lean DRA schedule. The cycling DRA group tended to show greater reductions in target responding and improved discrimination in Phase 2 and less target responding across Phases 2 and 3 than the lean DRA and dense DRA groups. These preliminary findings suggest that on/off DRA cycling procedures may produce more desirable treatment outcomes than constant DRA without producing negative side effects; however, further research is needed to confirm these possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean W. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Brian D. Greer
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
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9
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Hagopian LP, Falligant JM. Application of the evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics to severe challenging behavior. J Appl Behav Anal 2023; 56:729-744. [PMID: 37614037 PMCID: PMC10591871 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics (ETBD) is a genetic algorithm that applies the Darwinian principles of evolutionary biology to model how behavior changes dynamically via selection by contingencies of reinforcement. The ETBD is a complexity theory where low-level rules of selection, reproduction, and mutation operate iteratively to animate "artificial organisms" that generate emergent outcomes. Numerous studies have demonstrated the ETBD can accurately model behavior of live animals in the laboratory, and it has been applied recently to model automatically maintained self-injury. The purpose of the current series of studies was to further extend the application of the ETBD to model additional functional classes of challenging behavior and clinical procedures. Outcomes obtained with artificial organisms generally corresponded well with outcomes observed with clinical cases sourced from consecutive controlled case series studies. Conceptual and methodological considerations on the application of the ETBD to model challenging behavior are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis P. Hagopian
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John Michael Falligant
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Irwin Helvey C, Fisher WW, Greer BD, Fuhrman AM, Mitteer DR. Resurgence of destructive behavior following differential rates of alternative reinforcement. J Appl Behav Anal 2023; 56:804-815. [PMID: 37477560 PMCID: PMC10592362 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral momentum theory (BMT) suggests that resurgence of destructive behavior may be at least partly determined by the rate of alternative reinforcement, with lean schedules of reinforcement producing less resurgence than dense schedules. Findings from basic and translational studies have been mixed, and the effects of alternative reinforcement rate on resurgence remain unclear. In the current study, we conducted a within-subject evaluation of resurgence during extinction with four children following functional communication training using dense and lean (BMT-informed) schedules of alternative reinforcement. We observed no reliable differences in resurgence across the dense and lean conditions. We discuss implications of these findings in relation to future research using quantitative analyses to evaluate the relative effects of alternative reinforcement rate and other BMT-based strategies for mitigating resurgence in applied settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Irwin Helvey
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
| | - Wayne W. Fisher
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Brian D. Greer
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | - Daniel R. Mitteer
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ, USA
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11
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Laureano B, Falligant JM. Modeling Behavioral Persistence with Resurgence as Choice in Context (RaC 2): A Tutorial. Behav Anal Pract 2023; 16:640-651. [PMID: 37187845 PMCID: PMC10170016 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-023-00796-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Resurgence as Choice in Context (RaC2) is a quantitative model for evaluating the reemergence of a previously extinguished response when alternative reinforcement is worsened. Rooted in the matching law, RaC2 proposes that allocation between target and alternative responding is based on changes in the relative value of each response option over time, accounting for periods with and without alternative reinforcement. Given that practitioners and applied researchers may have limited experience with constructing quantitative models, we provide a step-by-step task analysis for building RaC2 using Microsoft Excel 2013. We also provide a few basic learning activities to help readers better understand RaC2 itself, the variables that affect the model's predictions, and the clinical implications of those predictions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-023-00796-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Laureano
- Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - John Michael Falligant
- Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
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12
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Kimball RT, Greer BD, Fuhrman AM, Lambert JM. Relapse and its mitigation: Toward behavioral inoculation. J Appl Behav Anal 2023; 56:282-301. [PMID: 36715533 PMCID: PMC10121865 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Relapse following the successful treatment of problem behavior can increase the likelihood of injury and the need for more intensive care. Current research offers some predictions of how treatment procedures may contribute to relapse, and conversely, how the risk of relapse can be mitigated. This review describes relapse-mitigation procedures with varying levels of support, the quantitative models that have influenced the research on relapse mitigation, different experimental methods for measuring relapse mitigation, and directions for future research. We propose that by viewing the implementation of relapse-mitigation procedures as a means of producing behavioral inoculation, clinicians are placed in the proactive and intentional role of exposing their client's behavior to an array of reinforcement and stimulus conditions during treatment with the goal of decreasing the detrimental impact of future treatment challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T. Kimball
- Department of Counseling and Applied Behavioral Studies, University of Saint Joseph
| | - Brian D. Greer
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Ashley M. Fuhrman
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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13
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Greer BD, Shahan TA, Fisher WW, Mitteer DR, Fuhrman AM. Further evaluation of treatment duration on the resurgence of destructive behavior. J Appl Behav Anal 2023; 56:166-180. [PMID: 36203259 PMCID: PMC9868049 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Translation of promising procedures for mitigating treatment relapse has received considerable attention recently from researchers across the basic-applied continuum. One procedure that has demonstrated mixed support involves increasing the duration of treatment as a strategy for blunting resurgence. In a recent translational study, Greer et al. (2020) failed to detect a mitigation effect of increased treatment duration on the resurgence of destructive behavior. However, design limitations may have been responsible. The present study corrected these limitations by (a) employing a sequential design to decrease the possibility of multiple-treatment interference, (b) evaluating more treatment durations, (c) arranging treatments of fixed durations, and (d) conducting treatments of more extreme duration in a different clinical sample. Despite these improvements in experimental rigor and the testing of more extreme boundary conditions, the present study also failed to detect a mitigation effect of increased treatment duration. Likely explanations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Greer
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of PediatricsRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | | | - Wayne W. Fisher
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of PediatricsRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Daniel R. Mitteer
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of PediatricsRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Ashley M. Fuhrman
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of PediatricsRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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14
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Fisher WW, Greer BD, Shahan TA, Norris HM. Basic and applied research on extinction bursts. J Appl Behav Anal 2023; 56:4-28. [PMID: 36193974 PMCID: PMC9868065 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Discontinuation of the contingency between a response and its reinforcer sometimes produces a temporary increase in the response before its rate decreases, a phenomenon called the extinction burst. Prior clinical and basic studies on the prevalence of the extinction burst provide highly disparate estimates. Existing theories on the extinction burst fail to account for the dynamic nature of this phenomenon, and the basic behavioral processes that control response bursting remain poorly understood. In this paper, we first review the basic and applied literature on the extinction burst. We then describe a recent refinement of the concatenated matching law called the temporally weighted matching law that appears to resolve the above-mentioned issues regarding the extinction burst. We present illustrative translational data based conceptually on the model. Finally, we discuss specific recommendations derived from the temporally weighted matching law regarding procedures clinicians could implement to potentially mitigate or prevent extinction bursts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne W. Fisher
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services
- Department of PediatricsRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Brian D. Greer
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services
- Department of PediatricsRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | | | - Halle M. Norris
- Children's Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services
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15
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Cowie S, Davison M. Choosing a future from a murky past: A generalization-based model of behavior. Behav Processes 2022; 200:104685. [PMID: 35690289 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Remembering the past appears critical in allowing organisms to detect order in an environment, and hence to behave in accordance with likely future events. Yet the shortcomings of remembering and perceiving typically mean that the remembered past differs from the actual past, and hence that behavior does not perfectly track the structure of the environment. Here, we outline how the process of generalization might be used to understand differences between what an organism does, and the structure of the past and potential structure of the environment. We explore how different sources of generalization - both from within the same stimulus situation, and from different stimulus situations - might be modeled quantitatively, and how predictions made by this modeling approach are supported by research. Finally, we discuss how generalization from multiple stimulus situations, longer-term experience, and from stimulus situations in the past that are not identical to the stimulus situation in the present, might contribute to our understanding of how an organism's experience translates into behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cowie
- The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - M Davison
- The University of Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Greer BD, Fisher WW, Fuhrman AM, Mitteer DR. Conducting Translational Research in the Context of Patient Care. Perspect Behav Sci 2022; 45:383-398. [PMID: 35719871 PMCID: PMC9163257 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-022-00333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although much has been written on the importance of translational research for bridging the continuum of basic science to clinical practice, few authors have described how such work can be carried out practically when working with patient populations in the context of ongoing clinical service delivery, where the priorities for patient care can sometimes conflict with the methods and goals of translational research. In this article, we explore some of the considerations for conducting this type of work while balancing clinical responsibilities that ensure high-quality patient care. We also discuss strategies we have found to jointly facilitate translational research and improve routine, clinical service delivery. A primary goal of this article is to encourage others working in applied settings to contribute to the increasingly important role that translational research plays in our science and practice by helping to better characterize and potentially lessen or remove barriers that may have impeded such investigations in the past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Greer
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Wayne W. Fisher
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ USA
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17
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Falligant JM, Hagopian LP, Kranak MP, Kurtz PF. Quantifying increases in problem behavior following downshifts in reinforcement: A retrospective analysis and replication. J Exp Anal Behav 2022; 118:148-155. [PMID: 35534950 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The recurrence of a previously eliminated or reduced behavior following a downshift in alternative reinforcement is referred to as resurgence. Resurgence as Choice (RaC) is a quantitative model of behavioral persistence that posits that resurgence is governed by the same behavioral principles that underlie choice behavior. Consistent with the predictions of RaC, extant basic research with animals indicates that resurgence increases as an exponential function of the size of the downshift in alternative reinforcement. Recently, Shahan and Greer (2021) extended this finding to resurgence of problem behavior during schedule thinning following functional communication training (FCT). They found that when resurgence occurred, it increased exponentially as a function of relative decrements in reinforcer availability during schedule thinning with compound schedules of reinforcement. The purpose of the current study was to directly replicate the analytic procedures described in Shahan and Greer to examine resurgence of problem behavior during schedule thinning following FCT using two novel clinical datasets. Our results closely replicate the findings from Shahan and Greer, providing additional support for the generality of resurgence during downshifts in alternative reinforcement in clinical contexts. These results also highlight the potential applicability of RaC for modeling resurgence of problem behavior during FCT schedule thinning.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Falligant
- Kennedy Krieger Institute.,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Louis P Hagopian
- Kennedy Krieger Institute.,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | | | - Patricia F Kurtz
- Kennedy Krieger Institute.,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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18
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Keevy M, Bai JY, Ritchey CM, Podlesnik CA. Examining combinations of stimulus and contingency changes with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and pigeons. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2022.101806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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19
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Translating Quantitative Theories of Behavior into Improved Clinical Treatments for Problem Behavior. Behav Processes 2022; 198:104639. [PMID: 35405305 PMCID: PMC10088503 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The most important advancement in the treatment of destructive behavior has been the development of the functional analysis, which is used to prescribe effective treatments like functional communication training. Although this approach can be highly effective, extinction bursts and forms of treatment relapse commonly occur when function-based treatments are implemented by caregivers in natural community settings. In recent years, researchers have increasingly applied quantitative theories of behavior like behavioral momentum theory (BMT) and the temporally weighted matching law (TWML) to understand, prevent, or mitigate extinction bursts and treatment relapse. In this paper, we describe BMT and TWML and selectively review the basic, translational, and applied research supporting and opposing each theory. Then, we describe how function-based treatments may be refined based on these theories to improve the effectiveness, generality, and durability of function-based treatments for individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders who display problem behavior.
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20
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Falligant JM, Chin MD, Kurtz PF. Renewal and resurgence of severe problem behavior in an intensive outpatient setting: Prevalence, magnitude, and implications for practice. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/bin.1878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John M. Falligant
- Department of Behavioral Psychology Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore Maryland USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Michelle D. Chin
- Department of Behavioral Psychology Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Patricia F. Kurtz
- Department of Behavioral Psychology Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore Maryland USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
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21
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Haney SD, Greer BD, Mitteer DR, Randall KR. Relapse during the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. J Appl Behav Anal 2022; 55:704-726. [PMID: 35318658 PMCID: PMC10091143 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Resurgence and renewal are treatment-relapse phenomena in which previously extinguished behavior returns after the conditions for an alternative response worsen or the context changes, respectively. Recently, researchers have evaluated the prevalence of resurgence and renewal when treating destructive behavior with functional communication training. However, resurgence of inappropriate mealtime behavior has yet to be evaluated; perhaps because treatments involve qualitatively different resurgence opportunities (e.g., increased bite-presentation rate). We evaluated the prevalence of resurgence and renewal of inappropriate mealtime behavior across 22 and 25 applications of extinction-based treatments, respectively. Resurgence occurred in 41% (9/22) of applications, most often following presentation-rate increases. Renewal occurred in 52% (13/25) of applications, most often following feeder changes from therapist to caregiver. We discuss these findings in terms of their ability to inform relapse-mitigation strategies for resurgence and renewal of inappropriate mealtime behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian D Greer
- Children's Specialized Hospital-Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH-RUCARES).,Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Daniel R Mitteer
- Children's Specialized Hospital-Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH-RUCARES).,Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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22
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Mitteer DR, Greer BD, Randall KR, Haney SD. On the scope and characteristics of relapse when treating severe destructive behavior. J Appl Behav Anal 2022; 55:688-703. [PMID: 35290666 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies on treatment relapse have typically examined the prevalence of resurgence or renewal of target behavior (e.g., destructive behavior) in isolation. This study analyzed both types of relapse during 25 consecutive treatments involving functional communication training during worsening reinforcement conditions for alternative behavior (i.e., schedule thinning) or following context changes. We also examined disruption of alternative behavior (i.e., functional communication requests, compliance). Resurgence and renewal of destructive behavior occurred in 76% and 69% of treatments, respectively, and in approximately a third of changes in reinforcement or context. Relapse of destructive behavior predicted alternative-response disruption and vice versa; the co-occurrence of these two events always exceeded the background probabilities of either event occurring in isolation. General reductions in treatment efficacy occurred across changes in reinforcement or context, with no apparent decrease in likelihood in later transitions. We discuss implications of our findings with respect to future studies examining treatment durability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Mitteer
- Children's Specialized Hospital-Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH-RUCARES).,Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
| | - Brian D Greer
- Children's Specialized Hospital-Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH-RUCARES).,Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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23
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Browning KO, Sutton GM, Nist AN, Shahan TA. The effects of large, small, and thinning magnitudes of alternative reinforcement on resurgence. Behav Processes 2022; 195:104586. [PMID: 35065243 PMCID: PMC8816858 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Resurgence refers to an increase of a previously reinforced target behavior following the worsening of conditions for a more recently reinforced alternative behavior. There is evidence to suggest that alternative reinforcers of greater magnitude are more effective at reducing target responding but may also result in more resurgence when removed. Similar effects have been observed with high rates of alternative reinforcement. However, in clinical settings, reinforcement rate thinning is used to reduce the likelihood of resurgence associated with higher rates of alternative reinforcement. Given the clinical importance of alternative reinforcer magnitude, it is necessary to evaluate how reinforcer magnitude thinning may impact resurgence as well. Following Phase 1 in which target responding was reinforced, rats earned either large (six pellets), small (one pellet), or thinned (reduced from six pellets to one across sessions) magnitude reinforcement for alternative responding during target-response extinction in Phase 2. Then, alternative responding was placed on extinction for all groups in Phase 3. Target responding was comparably elevated at the end of Phase 2 for groups Small and Thin compared to group Large. In Phase 3, resurgence was evident only in group Large but target responding remained relatively elevated in groups Small and Thin. These results provide additional evidence of the important interplay between conditions of alternative reinforcement and the persistence and resurgence of target responding.
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Smith SW, Greer BD. Phase duration and resurgence. J Exp Anal Behav 2022; 117:91-104. [PMID: 34762309 PMCID: PMC8908731 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Resurgence, the recurrence of responding due to a worsening of reinforcement conditions for current behavior, is a prevalent form of treatment relapse. Resurgence as Choice in Context predicts that increasing the duration of exposure to reinforcement for target responding during Phase 1 will increase resurgence magnitude, whereas increasing the duration of exposure to reinforcement for alternative responding and extinction for target responding during Phase 2 will decrease resurgence magnitude. We conducted an experiment evaluating these predictions with human participants recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform. We varied Phase 1 and Phase 2 durations across 4 experimental groups. Resurgence as Choice in Context successfully predicted the differences in resurgence magnitude across these groups, and fitting the quantitative model to the obtained data yielded an exceptional coefficient of determination. We discuss the implications of these results for using Resurgence as Choice in Context to inform experiments with human participants and the feasibility of using human-operant preparations to evaluate resurgence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean W. Smith
- Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
| | - Brian D. Greer
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES)
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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25
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Jarmolowicz DP, Greer BD, Killeen PR, Huskinson SL. Applied Quantitative Analysis of Behavior: What It Is, and Why We Care-Introduction to the Special Section. Perspect Behav Sci 2021; 44:503-516. [PMID: 35098022 PMCID: PMC8738785 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-021-00323-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Science evolves from prior approximations of its current form. Interest in changes in species over time was not a new concept when Darwin made his famous voyage to the Galapagos Islands; concern with speciation stretches back throughout the history of modern thought. Behavioral science also does and must evolve. Such change can be difficult, but it can also yield great dividends. The focus of the current special section is on a common mutation that appears to have emerged across these areas and the critical features that define an emerging research area-applied quantitative analysis of behavior (AQAB). In this introduction to the "Special Issue on Applications of Quantitative Methods," we will outline some of the common characteristics of research in this area, an exercise that will surely be outdated as the research area continues to progress. In doing so, we also describe how AQAB is relevant to theory, behavioral pharmacology, applied behavior analysis, and health behaviors. Finally, we provide a summary for the articles that appear in this special issue. The authors of these papers are all thinking outside the Skinner box, creating new tools and approaches, and testing them against relevant data. If we can keep up this evolution of methods and ideas, behavior analysis will regain its place at the head of the table!
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Affiliation(s)
- David P. Jarmolowicz
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS USA
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS USA
- Healthcare Institute for Improvements in Quality (Hi -IQ), University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO USA
| | - Brian D. Greer
- Severe Behavior Program, Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES), Somerset, NJ USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Peter R. Killeen
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Sally L. Huskinson
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS USA
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26
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Kranak MP, Falligant JM. Analysis of terminal schedule probes and schedule thinning effects following functional communication training. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/bin.1842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Kranak
- Department of Human Development and Child Studies Oakland University Rochester Michigan USA
- Oakland University Center for Autism Rochester Michigan USA
| | - John Michael Falligant
- Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore Maryland USA
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
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