On the effects of noncontingent delivery of differing magnitudes of reinforcement.

The team tested how reinforcer size changes NCR. They used a multielement design with adults who had intellectual disabilities.

Sessions alternated among high, medium, and low magnitudes of the same edible. The target response stayed the same; only the amount of free food changed.

Big, free bites cut responding the most. Medium and tiny bites barely dented the behavior.

The high-magnitude condition gave fast, steady suppression. Low magnitude looked almost like no NCR at all.

Eugenia Gras et al. (2003) later repeated the test and added session length. They saw the same dose effect: larger or longer NCR packs more punch.

Saini et al. (2017) extended the idea by mixing extinction with NCR. They found big NCR alone drops behavior quickly but can bounce back later; adding extinction keeps the gains.

Shahan et al. (2025) flips the coin. They show that rich histories create bigger extinction bursts. So the same big reinforcers that suppress now may fuel a burst when you later thin the schedule.

Pick your NCR size with the end in mind. Use a hefty magnitude for fast crisis reduction, but plan an extinction or thinning step to block resurgence. If you only need mild dampening, keep the free reinforcer small—you will save food, time, and later grief.