Preference for Variable Over Fixed Delays to Reinforcement: A Demonstration of Risk Sensitivity During Functional Communication Training

Research examining preference for variable over fixed delays to reinforcement (i.e., risky choice) may have implications for mitigating the effects of fidelity errors during functional communication training (FCT). Using a reversal design, we assessed the choices of four children diagnosed with a de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavior analysis (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2020-12, Vol.20 (4), p.252-266
Main Authors: Mullane, Michael P, Martens, Brian K, Sallade, Samantha J, Baxter, Emily L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior Problems
Choice Behavior
Communication
Developmental Disabilities
Human
Male
Reinforcement Delay
Risk Factors
Risk Taking
Training
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Summary:Research examining preference for variable over fixed delays to reinforcement (i.e., risky choice) may have implications for mitigating the effects of fidelity errors during functional communication training (FCT). Using a reversal design, we assessed the choices of four children diagnosed with a developmental disability to engage in problem behavior or a functional communication response when concurrent signaled variable or fixed reinforcement delays were programmed for each response. We present results for the two children who demonstrated risk sensitivity by allocating more responding toward the variable delay alternative across phases. Despite these findings, a final treatment phase including extinction for problem behavior was needed to consistently reduce problem behavior to zero for both children. These results provide a preliminary demonstration of risk sensitivity in children and are discussed in relation to FCT and risky choice research.
ISSN:2372-9414
2372-9414
DOI:10.1037/bar0000200