effects of varying response requirements on reinforcer potency

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20003241

The current study evaluated the effects of a progressive fixed ratio (FR) schedule of reinforcement on response rate. This study also attempted to identify the optimal schedule of reinforcement to maintain high rates of responding while avoiding satiation for two children diagnosed with autism and one typically developing child. Following a paired stimulus preference assessment a progressive ratio reinforcer assessment was conducted. Ratio strain was observed for two participants. An unexpected result was observed for the third participant, a decreasing rate of response during the FR20 condition suggests habituation. A dishabituation probe that led to an increase in responding was conducted supporting this conclusion.