Abstract
In the present examination of a self-reinforcement procedure, self-delivery of reinforcers and self-monitoring were manipulated separately while social reinforcement was held constant. The subjects were developmentally disabled men employed as cafeteria workers in two supported work enclaves. In a compound alternating treatment and multiple baseline design, three workers were trained to reliably self-monitor and self-reinforce their on-task behavior every 30 minutes at the sound of a timer beep. In a second treatment phase, they self-monitored but did not self-reinforce. Response contingent praise and a reinforcement contingency for accurately self-monitoring were programmed during both treatment phases. Self-monitoring with self-reinforcement produced an increase in level of on-task behavior for all three workers, which decreased when self-reinforcement was discontinued. Order of treatment phases was reversed for four additional workers. For three of these workers, level of on-task behavior was higher when they self-reinforced. These results indicate that self-reinforcement exerts behavioral control beyond that attributable to self-monitoring and concomitant social reinforcement.
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Kaplan, H., Hemmes, N.S., Motz, P. et al. Self-Reinforcement and Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Psychol Rec 46, 161–178 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395169
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395169