Effects of Differential Scheduling of Timeout to Reduce Maladaptive Responding

Abstract

One popular mode of treatment for the reduction of maladaptive responding has been the use of timeout procedures. Historically, these procedures have generally been administered on a continuous schedule. In this study, the effects of using a differential schedule of timeout and allowing one maladaptive response per interval before timeout procedures were implemented were studied. The subjects were three school-aged children who had been identified as mentally retarded. The study used a multiple-baseline design, and demonstrated that a differential schedule of timeout was effective in reducing the target maladaptive behaviors. In addition, by permitting one behavior to occur within an interval which occasioned only a warning, the students were allowed to develop self-control within a structured setting. Suggestions for teacher implementation are provided.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Azrin

N. H.

, & Holtz

W. C.

(1966). Punishment. In Honig

W. R.

(Ed.), Operant behavior: Areas of research and application (pp. 380–447). New York: Appleton.

Baer

D. M.

(1962). Laboratory control of thumbsucking by withdrawal and representation of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 5, 525–528.

Barton

L. E.

Brulle

A. R.

, & Repp

A. C.

(1983). Aversive techniques and the doctrine of least restrictive alternative. Exceptional Education Quarterly, 4, 1–8.

Barton

L. E.

Brulle

A. R.

, & Repp

A. C.

(1985). Reduction of stereotypic behaviors using Differential Reinforcement procedures and momentary restraint. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 29, 71–79.

Barton

L. E.

Meston

L. A.

, & Brulle

A. R.

(1984). A brief note on differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) and the reduction of multiple problem behaviors in a group setting. Special Education in Canada, 58, 55–58.

Bostow

D. E.

, & Bailey

J. B.

(1969). Modification of severe disruptive and aggressive behavior using brief timeout and reinforcement procedures. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2, 31–37.

Clark

H. B.

Rowbury

Baer

A. M.

, & Baer

D. M.

(1973). Timeout as a punishing stimulus in continuous and intermittent schedules. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 443–445.

Ferster

C. B.

(1958). Control of behavior in chimpanzees and pigeons by timeout from positive reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 72, No. 461.

Foxx

R. M.

, & Shapiro

S. T.

(1978). The time-out ribbon: A non-exclusionary time-out procedure. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 125–136.

10.

Kazdin

A. E.

(1975). Behavior modification in applied settings. Homewood, IL: The Dorsey Press.

11.

Public Law 94–142 (1975). The Education for All Handicapped Children Act.

12.

Repp

A. C.

Barton

L. E.

, & Brulle

A. R.

(1983). A comparison of two procedures for programming the differential reinforcement of other behaviors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 16, 435–445.

13.

Repp

A. C.

, & Brulle

A. R.

(1981). Reducing aggressive behavior of mentally retarded persons. In Matson

J. L.

& McCartney

J. R.

(Eds.), Handbook of behavior modification with the mentally retarded. New York: Plenum Press.

14.

Repp

A. C.

, & Slack

D. J.

(1977). Reducing responding of retarded persons by DRO schedules following a history of low-rate responding: A comparison of ascending interval sizes. The Psychological Record, 27, 581–588.

15.

Risley

T. R.

, & Twardosz

(1974). Suggested guidelines for the humane management of the behavior problems of the retarded. Unpublished paper, State of Florida, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Division of Retardation.

16.

Solnick

J. V.

Rincover

, & Peterson

C. R.

(1977). Some determinants of the reinforcing and punishing effects of timeout. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 415–424.

17.

U.S. Department of Education (1984). Sixth annual report to Congress on the implementation of Public Law 94–142: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Washington, DC: Division of Educational Services, Special Education Programs.