Eastern Michigan University
Project Title: Evaluating the Effects of Varying Reinforcer Dimensions during Differential Reinforcement without Extinction on Resurgence in a Human-Operant Model
Omar’s thesis project will be the second in a series of human-operant translational research studies investigating the influence of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior implemented with and without extinction on resurgence during treatment challenges.
Research shows that DRA is successful at treating socially mediated destructive behavior and, although extinction has been shown to be an integral component, implementing these procedures may be impractical or unsafe (e.g., ignoring self-injurious behavior). Thus, DRA without extinction must be considered and designed in such a way as to promote treatment effects.
Previous research suggests that manipulating dimensions of reinforcement to favor the alternative response relative to the functional reinforcer available for the target response can be effective. To date, however, no research has looked at whether and to what extent these consequent modifications impact the prevalence, persistence, and magnitude of resurgence.
As such, this study will utilize a human operant (i.e., translational) model in the form of a computer-based task to evaluate: (1) how reinforcement modifications (e.g., quality manipulation) that favor an alternative response influence acquisition and (2) whether reinforcement history for the alternative response influence the prevalence, persistence, or magnitude of resurgence across experimental groups. This translational approach is well-suited for questions related to treatment relapse as it can be leveraged to investigate the phenomenon in a safe and ethical way.
The funding provided by this SABA grant will support Omar in participant recruitment, software development (i.e., computer-based task), and allow him to travel to ABAI’s annual convention in 2025 to disseminate his results.
Back to Master's Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Grants
