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Disrupted Stimulus Control But Not Reward Sensitivity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Matching Law Analysis

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Abstract

The matching law suggests that behavior is emitted in proportion to the level of reinforcement available. The current study investigated this effect in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and focused on the effects of magnitude of reinforcement (Study 1), and rate of reinforcement (Studies 2 and 3), on matching performance. Studies 1 and 2 employed lower functioning children with ASD, and demonstrated matching in both groups, but that the group with ASD displayed greater levels of stimulus bias. Study 3 employed higher functioning children with ASD, and found little evidence of matching, but higher stimulus bias in the group with ASD. These effects suggest a disruption of stimulus control, but not reward sensitivity, in individuals with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the kind participation of the children in this research, and we thank them very much for their time and involvement. Thanks are also due to the parents of the children who kindly participated, and to Lisa A. Osborne for her support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

    Phil Reed, Rose Hawthorn, Sam Bolger, Katie Meredith & Ruth Bishop

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  1. Phil Reed
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  2. Rose Hawthorn
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  3. Sam Bolger
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  4. Katie Meredith
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  5. Ruth Bishop
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Correspondence to Phil Reed.

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Reed, P., Hawthorn, R., Bolger, S. et al. Disrupted Stimulus Control But Not Reward Sensitivity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Matching Law Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 2393–2403 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1494-z

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