A multicomponent approach to thinning reinforcer delivery during noncontingent reinforcement schedules

Slocum et al. (2018) tested a new way to thin noncontingent reinforcement. Three children who hit or kicked others took part.

The team first gave the reinforcer often. Then they stretched the time between deliveries. They added two tricks. A green card meant "reinforcer coming soon." A red card meant "not now." They also gave small toys and snacks during red times.

Aggression dropped right away for every child. It stayed low while the schedule stretched from every 30 seconds to every 10 minutes.

The red-card signal plus backup toys kept problem behavior from spiking. Parents and teachers could keep the thin schedule without extra help.

Lancioni et al. (2009) already said NCR plus extinction is a well-established treatment. Slocum adds a safe thinning recipe on top of that base.

Kelley et al. (2023) now shows you can thin even faster. They used the same red/green signals but only for 30 seconds at a time. The 2023 paper does not cancel the 2018 one; it just gives a speed option.

Lerner et al. (2012) warned that thinning without extinction can bring behavior back. Slocum solved this by signaling "no reinforcer now" and giving other fun items instead of pure extinction.

You no longer need to choose between dense NCR forever or risky thinning. Add a simple red-card cue and some backup toys. You can stretch the schedule across days or weeks while keeping clients safe. Try it next time a child is ready to move off rich NCR but still needs protection from spikes.