Date of Award

4-2019

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Stephanie Peterson

Second Advisor

Dr. Richard Malott

Third Advisor

Dr. Alan Poling

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Claire St. Peter

Keywords

resurgence, persistence, relapse, translational research, control responses, extinction-induced behavioral variability

Abstract

Serial response training (SRT) may mitigate resurgence of a target response when compared to teaching a single alternative response. However, the necessity of the serial presentation of alternatives is yet to be determined. We hypothesized teaching alternative responses at the same time (concurrent response training [CRT]) may be as effective as, and more efficient than, SRT. We used a multielement design embedded within an ABC resurgence arrangement in a human operant arrangement in three studies. Twenty-seven undergraduate students enrolled in a psychology course participated. In Study 1, we compared CRT to differential reinforcement of a single alternative response (traditional DRA). In Study 2, we compared CRT, SRT, and traditional DRA. In Study 3, we implemented CRT and made real-time, data-based decisions regarding phase length rather than standard a priori phase-change criteria. We found both CRT and SRT resulted in greater persistence of alternative responses and suppression of target responses than traditional DRA. CRT and SRT also comparably mitigated resurgence of target responding. However, we also included two inactive control responses. Observed responding on those control responses indicate that persistence and resurgence during extinction may be attributed to extinction-induced behavioral variability or induction.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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