Abstract
Repetitive behaviors of six autistic children were observed under two conditions of background illumination. During two sessions, the room was illuminated by fluorescent light and during two other sessions, by equal intensity incandescent light. Subjects spent significantly more time engaged in repetitive behavior under fluorescent light. Previous research suggested that these findings were related to the flickering nature of fluorescent illumination. Practical and theoretical implications were discussed. Further experimentation was suggested to assess relationships between flickering illumination and arousal.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Azrin, N. H., Kaplan, S. J., & Foxx, R. M. Autism reversal: Eliminating self-stimulation of retarded individuals.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1973,78, 241–248.
Baumeister, A. A., & Forehand, R. Stereotyped acts. In N. R. Ellis (Ed.),International review of research in mental retardation (Vol. 6). New York: Academic Press, 1974.
Berkson, G., & Mason, W. Stereotyped behaviors of chimpanzees: Relation to general arousal and alternative activities.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1964,19, 635–652.
Forehand, R., & Baumeister, A. A. Body rocking and activity level as a function of prior movement restraint.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1970,74, 608–610.
Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. The elimination of self-stimulatory behavior of autistic and retarded children by overcorrection.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1973,6, 1–14.
Frankel, F., Chikami, B., Freeman, B. J., Ritvo, E., & Carr, E.The reinforcing effects of photic stimulation upon the behavior of autistic and retarded children. Paper presented at the 54th annual conference of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, April, 1974.
Guilford, J. P.Fundamental statistics in psychology and education. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1965.
Hutt, C., & Hutt, S. J. Effects of environmental complexity on stereotyped behavior of children.Animal Behavior, 1965,13, 1–4.
Hutt, S. J., & Hutt, C. Stereotypy, arousal and autism.Human Development, 1968,11, 277–286.
Kaufman, M. E., & Levitt, H. A study of three stereotyped behaviors in institutionalized mental defectives.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1965,69, 467–473.
Koegel, R., & Covert, A. The relationship of self-stimulation to learning in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972,5, 381–388.
Maris, R. S.Stereotyped body-rocking in severely retarded patients: A study of rhythm and topography. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Alabama, 1971.
Mulhern, T., & Baumeister, A. A. An experimental attempt to reduce stereotypy by reinforcement procedures.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1969,74, 69–74.
Ornitz, E., & Ritvo, E. Perceptual inconstancy in early infantile autism and its variants.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1968,18, 77–98.
Ornitz, E., Brown, M., Sorosky, A., Ritvo, E., & Dietrich, L. Environmental modification of autistic behavior.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1970,22, 560–565.
Ritvo, E., Ornitz, E., & LaFranchi, S. Frequency of repetitive behaviors in early infantile autism and its variants.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1968,19, 341–347.
Sorosky, A., Ornitz, E., Brown, M., & Ritvo, E. Systematic observations of autistic behavior.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1968,18, 439–449.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Colman, R.S., Frankel, F., Ritvo, E. et al. The effects of fluorescent and incandescent illumination upon repetitive behaviors in autistic children. J Autism Dev Disord 6, 157–162 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01538059
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01538059