%0 Journal Article
%T Differential Reinforcement of Low Rate Schedules Reduce Severe Problem Behavior
%A Andrew C. Bonner
%A John C. Borrero
%J Behavior Modification
%@ 1552-4167
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0145445517731723
%X Differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) schedules are reinforcement contingencies designed to reduce response rates. A common variation of the DRL arrangement is known as full-session DRL (f-DRL), in which a reinforcer is presented at the end of an interval if the response rate during that interval is below a predetermined criterion. Prior human operant research involving arbitrary mouse clicks has shown that the f-DRL is likely to reduce target responding to near zero rates. Similarly, applied research has shown that the f-DRL is likely to reduce minimally disruptive classroom behavior. There are, however, relatively few successful applications of the f-DRL to severe forms of problem behavior (e.g., self-injurious behavior). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of f-DRL on the severe problem behavior of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For four participants, the f-DRL reduced severe problem behavior by clinically significant levels. Furthermore, results of a contingency strength analysis showed a strong negative contingency strength between target responding and reinforcer delivery for all participants
%K differential reinforcement of low rates
%K severe problem behavior
%K contingency strength
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0145445517731723