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Suppression of pica by overcorrection and physical restraint: A comparative analysis

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Abstract

Overcorrection and physical restraint procedures have been shown to be effective in controlling certain classes of maladaptive behavior in mentally retarded persons. In the present study, an alternating treatments design was used to measure the differential effects of overcorrection and physical restraint procedures in the treatment of pica. Changes in collateral behaviors were also monitored. Each occurrence of pica was followed by either an overcorrection procedure or a physical restraint procedure. Although both procedures reduced the occurrence of pica and had a similar effect on the occurrence of collateral behaviors, physical restraint was clinically more effective in terms of immediate response reduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Nirbhay N. Singh & Leon W. Bakker

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  1. Nirbhay N. Singh
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  2. Leon W. Bakker
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Additional information

The experimental protocol for this study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. This research was supported in part by Grants No. 10 and No. 82-59 from the New Zealand Labor Department. The authors are grateful to Dr. Jim Marshall, Peter Bootsma, and the ward staff of Templeton Hospital and Training School for their generous assistance. A special thanks to Lyonne Dalley, Jane Guillen, and Robin Phillips, who assisted with the manuscript preparation.

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Singh, N.N., Bakker, L.W. Suppression of pica by overcorrection and physical restraint: A comparative analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 14, 331–341 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02409583

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02409583

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