Date of Award
8-1991
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Jack L. Michael
Second Advisor
Dr. Alan Poling
Third Advisor
Dr. Paul Mountjoy
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study obtained repeated-acquisition data from four developmentally disabled adults. The procedure was a refinement of one used earlier by Madsen (1988) and a comparison was made between the two. Verbal praise, edibles, and money were used to reinforce correct responding. In addition, an informal comparison was made between individual repeated-acquisition performance and IQ scores. The refinements of the Madsen procedure included: (1) using a 10-second timeout as the consequence of an error, (2) placing poker chips in die-cut holes, (3) using different colored construction paper backgrounds, (4) limiting each session to one sequence, (5) using percent correct responses as the primary dependent variable, and (6) adjusting the number of sets to keep performance accuracy within a specified range.
In general, percent correct responses seemed a better dependent variable than errors-to-criterion. The task adjustment procedure successfully kept the subjects' performances within the moderate (60% correct responses) to high (85% correct responses) accuracy range. The apparent relation between performance and test scores found by Madsen (perfect rank order relation for four subjects) was replicated by this study.
Recommended Citation
Rueber, Thomas M., "Repeated Acquisition with Developmentally Disabled Adults: Some Methodological Improvements" (1991). Masters Theses. 1022.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1022