Date of Award:

5-2014

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Special Education and Rehabilitation

Committee Chair(s)

Robert Morgan

Committee

Robert Morgan

Committee

Andrew Samaha

Committee

Sarah Bloom

Committee

Benjamin Lignugaris/Kraft

Abstract

Reinforcement is commonly used to increase individuals engaging in certain behaviors. We can alter the value of the reinforcers by manipulating how long they get access to the reinforcer (i.e., magnitude) or by varying the type of reinforcer we use. The use of high technology items (i.e., high-tech) as a reinforcer has not been examined. We examined the interaction between high- and no-tech items and duration of access and the effects of that interaction on reinforcer preference and efficacy (i.e., how effective the reinforcer is in increasing behavior) in three individuals with disabilities. We conducted two preference assessments to identify a highly preferred high-tech and no-tech item. Then, we assessed how long participants liked to have access to the high-tech and no-tech items. Finally, we conducted another assessment to determine how much work participants would engage in to gain access to the high-tech and no-tech items depending on the duration of access. Results demonstrated that two participants preferred the hightech item for longer durations. Results also demonstrated that participants worked more to earn the high-tech item for longer duration and worked less to earn the no-tech item for longer durations. These results provide further evidence that how long an individual is provided access to certain items affects the value of those items as reinforcers. These results have implications for caregivers and clinicians using high- and no-tech items as reinforcers.

Checksum

ca646ab740f2a49a1027c618c0096df4

Download

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .