Vignette methodology was used to assess factors associated with decisions regarding the acceptability of treatment programs involving Response Contingent Electric Shock. Ninety-four mental retardation professionals each reviewed unique vignettes that described a program involving the use of electric shock to consequate some form of behavior. They then were asked to rate three related acceptability dimensions with regard to the vignette. The use of Response Contingent Electric Shock was rated as more appropriate if the behavior was a serious behavior, occurred frequently, and had been unresponsive to less intrusive methods of therapy.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Carr, E. & Lovaas, I. (1983). Contingent electric shock as a treatment for severe behavior problems. In S. Axelrod & J. Apsche (Eds.), The effects of punishment on human behavior. New York: Academic Press.
2.
Dickerson, R. (1987). Randomly assigning variables to vignettes [Computer program] Philadelphia: Temple University Woodhaven Center.
3.
Foxx, R. , McMorrow, M., Bittle, R., & Bechtel, D. (1986). The successful treatment of a dually-diagnosed deaf man's aggression with a program that included contingent electric shock. Behavior Therapy, 17, 170-186.
4.
Griffith, R. (1980). An administrative perspective on guidelines for behavior modification: The creation of a legally safe environment. The Behavior Therapist, 3, 5-7.
5.
Kazdin, A. , French, N., & Sherick, R. (1981). Acceptability of alternative treatments for children: Evaluations by inpatient children, parents, and staff. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49, 900-907.
6.
Killebrew, J. , Harris, C., & Kruckeberg, K. (1982). A conceptual model for determining the least restrictive treatment-training model. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 33, 367-370.
7.
McGee, J. (Producer), & Hobbs, D. (Producer). (1986). Gentle Teaching IV. [Videotape]. Omaha: University of Nebraska Medical Center.
8.
Spreat, S., Lipinski, D., Dickerson, R., Nass, R., & Dorsey, M. (1987). Professional acceptability of behavior modification procedures. (Tech. Rep. 87-10-(1)). Philadelphia: Temple University Woodhaven Center.
9.
TASH . (1987, May). TASH resolution on the cessation of intrusive interventions. TASH Newsletter, p. 3-3.
