An Evaluation of Operant Behavioural Economics in Functional Communication Training for Severe Problem Behaviour

Reinforcer value moderates response magnitude and persistence during extinction: A randomized trial

Extinction bursts, or temporary increases in rates and intensities of behavior during extinction, can preclude the inclusion of extinction in intervention packages meant to suppress severe challenging behavior. To identify underlying behavioral mechanisms responsible for response persistence and bursting, 69 adults with developmental disabilities completed a low-stakes translational investigation employing a 2 × 2 factorial, crossed, and randomized matched blocks design, with batched randomization logic. In each of the four test groups, we made distinct antecedent manipulations with two value parameters commonly studied through behavioral economics (i.e., demand intensity, Pmax) and evaluated the extent to which each of these manipulations influenced target responding during extinction. Although we found statistically significant differences attributable to both parameters, variations in reinforcer consumption relative to demand intensity were most influential across all dependent variables. This outcome implicates consumption relative to demand intensity as both a mitigating and exacerbating preextinction factor that influences the prevalence of adverse collateral extinction effects (e.g., bursts).

Interpretation(s) of essential value in operant demand

The operant demand framework has achieved high levels of adoption as an approach to quantify how various ecological factors influence choice. A central goal of the framework proposed by Hursh and Silberburg (2008) was to isolate the "essential value" of reinforcers-namely, their effects on behavior given various contextual factors. The effect of reinforcers on behavior is a phenomenon that is expected to vary as a function of reinforcer magnitude/dosage (i.e., units of reinforcement), price (i.e., schedule requirements), the intensity of demand (i.e., consumption in free operant conditions), the availability of reinforcers (i.e., supply, presence of alternatives), and the individual's current and historical context. This technical report provides a historical summary of the concept, describes the quantitative basis for essential value in the framework of Hursh and Silberburg (2008), reviews prior attempts to extract a generalizable index of essential value, and presents a newer formulation using exact solution that provides a more succinct and durable index. Proofs and solutions are provided to clarify the bases for novel and existing representations of essential value. Recommendations are provided to improve the precision and accuracy of behavioral economic metrics as well as support consensus regarding their interpretation in the operant demand framework.

Using Chained or Tandem Schedules With Functional Communication Training: A Systematic Review

Chained and tandem schedules are a common method for thinning schedules of reinforcement following functional communication training (FCT) in the treatment of problem behavior. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of chained and tandem schedules following FCT to describe treatment characteristics and evaluate effects. We identified 38 articles and found reductions in problem behavior across four measures. Results of a random-effects multilevel meta-analysis of rigorous evaluations showed a significant effect of chained or tandem schedules + FCT on problem behavior relative to baseline. We observed resurgence in 77% of cases and 31% of schedule-thinning transitions. Results showed chained schedules resulted in greater reductions in problem behavior relative to tandem schedules. Exploratory moderator analyses suggested extinction, combined reinforcement, and delay and denial tolerance training procedures were associated with greater reductions in problem behavior relative to other treatment characteristics. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Extending stimulus preference assessment with the operant demand framework

This study extended earlier research on stimulus preference (SP) and reinforcer efficacy (RE) using the behavioral economic concept of elasticity. The elasticity of demand for different items can be used to simultaneously compare RE across stimuli and schedules of reinforcement. Highly preferred stimuli were identified via SP assessments and evaluated using progressive-ratio reinforcer assessments. Reinforcers were then evaluated across the ranges of elasticity in individual reinforcer evaluations. Results indicated that schedules associated with the ranges of elasticity (e.g., inelastic vs. elastic) corresponded with rates of the targeted behavior (i.e., work) and these trends were consistent with behavioral economic predictions. These findings encourage further inquiry and replication of operant demand methods to identify potential boundary conditions for stimuli identified using SP assessments. Discussion is provided regarding the efficiency of reinforcer assessment and the utility of schedules found to exist in the elastic and inelastic ranges.