Case Studies in Behavioral Research in Rehabilitation 1

Abstract

Problems of four rehabilitation patients were approached with operant methodology. These problems included learning to write faster with the non-dominant hand, learning to increase speed on a keypunch machine, learning to push a wheelchair faster, increasing understandable and appropriate speech, and decreasing unintelligible and perseverarive speech. Each study began by measuring the patients’ performance on the task before treatment. Then, classes of desired and undesired responses were designated, and reinforcers and punishers capable of increasing and decreasing these responses were investigated. Such response classes as speed and frequency of desired and undesired responses were affected. Both verbal and perceptual-motor responses were modified. It was concluded that operant techniques may enable the psychologist to contribute to a variety of areas in the rehabilitation center which have, to date, received little attention. Such techniques provide a rational technology for training disabled people.