Chapter 17
PSYB45 Chapter 17 Using Punishment: Time-Out and Response Cost
Time-Out When children do something wrong and they are told to sit-out until they are ready to play (example of Time – Out) Types of Time-out Time-out: loss of access to positive reinforcers for a brief period contingent on the problem behavior o Result is a decrease in the future probability of the problem behavior Time-out from positive reinforcement: a type of negative punishment in which, contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior, the person loses access to positive reinforcers for a brief period. Typically, the person is removed from the reinforcing environment in a time-out procedure Two types^ o Non-exclusionary time-out o Exclusionary time-out Exclusionary time-out: a time-out procedure in which the person is briefly removed from the reinforcing environment-typically to another room-contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior Non-exclusionary time-out: A type of time-out procedure in which, contingent on the problem behavior, the person is removed from all sources of reinforcement but is not removed from the room where the problem behavior occurred o Appropriate if having the person remain in the room is not disruptive to other people in the room o Also must be removed from access to positive reinforcers Using Reinforcement with Time-Out When time-out is used (or any punishment procedure), a differential reinforcement procedure should also be used Time – out will decrease rate of problem behavior and differential reinforcement increases an alternative behavior to replace the problem (DRA) o The replacement of the behavior prevents behavior from re-emerging since there is a chance to be a net loss in reinforcement Considerations in Using Time-Out Number of considerations to use time-out effectively What is the Function of the Problem Behavior? Time-out is appropriate to use with problem behaviors that are maintained by positive reinforcement involving social or tangible reinforcers Time-in environment: environment in which behavior occurs o Must consisit of positively reinforcing activities/interactions for time-out to be effective Time-out is not appropriate to use with problem behaviors maintained by negative reinforcement or sensory stimulation o Time-out would negatively reinforce behaviors maintained by escape When a problem behavior is maintained by sensory stimulation, time-out is not appropriate because it would not function as time-out from positive reinforcement o Time-out would give them an opportunity to engage in problem behavior alone and without interruption during time-out (reinforcing)
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Is Time-out Practical in the Given Situations? Time-out is practical when the change agents can implement the procedure successfully and the physical environment is conducive to its use o Example: When time-out is given, the person is usually escorted out by the change agent o If the person is an adult/large person that may aggressively resist being escorted or harm the change agent, then time-out would not be effective Consider if there is an appropriate room or area to use for time-out o Example: If child is sent to room and room has a TV, time-out is reinforcing and is not affective; if other people interact with the person then it is not effective Room for time-out should be safe (free of sharp/breakable objects), well-lighted (with unbreakable ceiling light), and barren (empty except for chair) o There should be an observation window (one-way window is best) o Room should not have a lock to ensure client does not lock out change agent and change agent cannot lock in the client Is Time-Out Safe? Safe if room is prepared as is outline above^ Change agent should observe client throughout especially in violent, aggressive or selfinjurious behavior Is the Time-Out Period Brief? Problem behavior should result in an immediate removal from the reinforcing time-in environment Client should be returned to the time-in environment ASAP and allowed to resume normal activities (typically 1-10 minutes) If client engages in problem behavior during time-out, time-out is extended from 10sec – 1 min o ^Contingent delay Absence of problem behavior is required at the end of time-out so that the termination of time-out does not negatively reinforce problem behavior Once time-out is over, change agent should identify desirable behavior that will be reinforced in time-in environment Can Escape from Time-Out be Prevented Change agents should prevent client from leaving time-out room/area before the end of the time-out interval o Normal for client to try to leave shows that is implemented correctly Change agent should calmly instruct client to return to area o If escape is repeated, change agent should use physical guidance to keep client in area/chair/room Avoiding a struggle is important as it may be reinforcing for client Can Interactions Be Avoided during Time-Out? Time-out must be implemented calmly and without emotional response from change agent While taking client to time-out or during time-out, change agent must not interact socially with client o Avoid reprimands, explanations, or other forms of attentions If child resists to go, change agent should only guide them physically Is Time-out Acceptable in the Given Situation? For time-outs that occur in programs for people with intellectual disabilities, rules and regulations govern the use of time-out and other punishment procedures
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When working with parents, they must accept use and to implement on their child
Research Evaluating Time-Out Procedures Many studies have shown that time-out is effective with children and people with intellectual disabilities Contingent observation: contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior, the child has to sit and watch the other children play appropriately o Decreases level of disruptive and aggressive behavior of the children in day care program Mothers using time-out for their babies when they put themselves in dangerous situations (playing with outlets) o Decreases occurrence of this kind of behavior Putting children who do not comply with parents request in time-out o Explaining to them why they were in time – out before cutting off interactions for time-out period o If they engage in problem behavior, time- out is extended o Decrease noncompliance behavior Response Cost Parking tickets for illegal parking is an example of response cost procedure Other examples page 351 Defining Response Cost Response cost: removal of a specified amount of a reinforcer contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior o Negative punishment procedure when it results in a decrease in future probability of problem behavior Used by government, law enforcement agencies, other institutions Money is commonly used in response cost procedures because it is a reinforcer for practically everyone Other materials used are tangible or material reinforcers (snacks, toys, tokens) Opportunity is also used (using family car, activity reinforcers, going to the movie, playing a game, going out at recess) Using Differential Reinforcement with Response Cost DRA or DRO should be used with response cost Comparing Response Cost, Time-Out and Extinction Extinction problem behavior is no longer followed by reinforcing event that previously maintained the behavior Time – out person is removed from access to all sources of reinforcement contingent on the problem behavior Response cost a specific amount of a reinforcer the person already possesses is removed after the problem behavior Example with Joey: Page 353 Considerations in Using Response Cost Which Reinforcers Will Be Removed? Reinforcer must be identified and amount of reinforcer you will remove in the response cost procedure must be determined Reinforcer should be one that the change agent has control over so that it can be removed after problem behavior Reinforcer must be large enough so that its lost contingent on the problem behavior will decrease problem behavior
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Decide if loss of reinforcer is permanent of temporary
Is the Reinforcer Loss Immediate or Delayed? In some cases, reinforcer is removed immediately after the problem behavior is a response cost procedure Although reinforcer loss typically is delayed, person is told about loss immediately after problem behavior If response cost is used with people with severe intellectual deficits, it is best to have an immediate reinforcer loss o Delay is response cost and problem behavior may make response cost less effective o Token program is best in these cases Is the Loss of Reinforcers Ethical? Important that removal of reinforcers in response cost procedure does not violate the right of the person being treated or result in harm to him or her Taking away a personal possession from an adult would be violation of that persons rights o Different from taking a toy away from child Parents should never deprive child of nutritional requirements that could result in harm to child (dessert/candy is okay) Is Response Cost Practical and Acceptable Response cost procedure must be practically Change agent must be capable of carrying out the procedure Response cost procedure must not stigmatize or embarrass the person with problem behavior Change agent implementing procedure must find procedure to be an acceptable method for decreasing a problem behavior Research Evaluating Response Cost Procedures Response cost has been used to decrease: o Child misbehavior during family shopping trips o Sleep problems in young children o Sleep problems in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities o Noncompliance to parental requests o Off-task behavior in hyperactive o Thumb-sucking and hair-pulling o Disruptive behavior in the classroom o Speech dysfluencies in college students Reducing cash shortages in restaurants by taking it from employee pay checks Weight-loss program for parents and children o Lost money from their deposit each time they missed a weekly meeting or did not bring their graphs and charts to meeting, if children did not lose the amount of weight specified in contract for the week