REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES AND THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOURS

Abstract

Where a behaviour has been maintained on a variable schedule of reinforcement theoretically it should be possible to reduce resistance to extinction by first putting the behaviour onto a continuous schedule of reinforcement. This approach has been employed in animal research but rarely with human participants, and where it has, with little success. This study describes the use of the approach to overcome some minor problems in the behaviour of young children, the problems being sufficiently troublesome for the parents to consult their GP. All the families who used the approach were successful in remediating the behaviour. Some reasons for this success, in contrast with the disappointing outcomes of some of the earlier research, are discussed. Although the study lacks formal controls it is suggested that the approach could be usefully applied to other common childhood behaviours that have been subjected to variable reinforcement.