Date of Award

4-1985

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. David O. Lyon

Second Advisor

Dr. Galen Alessi

Third Advisor

Dr. Robertson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Three ambulatory mildly mentally retarded adults (2 males, 1 female) were trained to independently shop for personal care items needed and to determine and select items within a $2.00 budget. A task analysis yielded 30 target behaviors. In training correct responses received descriptive praise and smiles, while incorrect responses received corrective feedback, prompts, and/or modeling. A laminated card was used which had typed on it the prices $1.00 to $1.89. Subjects were taught they could afford items whose prices could be matched to one on the card. A multiple baseline across subjects research design was employed. Subjects improved to performing all target behaviors correctly after being exposed to training, and maintained this performance when checked one month later. Skills were generalized to items whose prices were marked by ink instead if a sticker. Generalization probes taken at a different store revealed the subject could select and purchase the item properly, but had difficulty locating the personal care section of the store.

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