Noncontingent reinforcement without extinction plus differential reinforcement of alternative behavior during treatment of problem behavior
Thin NCR first; add DRA only if behavior resurges.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Five kids with autism got noncontingent reinforcement every 30 seconds.
Problem behavior dropped right away.
The team then stretched the time between treats.
If behavior bounced back they added DRA instead of returning to dense NCR.
What they found
All five kids stayed calm under thick NCR.
Three kept low problem rates while the schedule thinned.
Two needed DRA added to stay safe.
No one returned to the original dense schedule.
How this fits with other research
Boyle et al. (2018) mixed NCR with FCT and also saw big drops in stereotypy.
Their combo worked on a different behavior, showing the add-a-procedure idea travels.
Steinhauser et al. (2021) used DRA plus brief redirection in classrooms and got the same two-step logic: start simple, then layer in help if needed.
Catania et al. (1974) first proved reinforcement packages could tame severe behavior; Fritz keeps that spirit but swaps old DRO for modern NCR plus DRA.
Why it matters
You can move away from dense NCR without extinction.
Thin first; if problem behavior spikes, bolt on DRA instead of retreating.
This saves staff time and keeps reinforcement flowing for the learner.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The effects of noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) without extinction during treatment of problem behavior maintained by social positive reinforcement were evaluated for five individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A continuous NCR schedule was gradually thinned to a fixed-time 5-min schedule. If problem behavior increased during NCR schedule thinning, a continuous NCR schedule was reinstated and NCR schedule thinning was repeated with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) included. Results showed an immediate decrease in all participants' problem behavior during continuous NCR, and problem behavior maintained at low levels during NCR schedule thinning for three participants. Problem behavior increased and maintained at higher rates during NCR schedule thinning for two other participants; however, the addition of DRA to the intervention resulted in decreased problem behavior and increased mands.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2017 · doi:10.1002/jaba.395