Date of Award
8-1-2014
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Rehabilitation
First Advisor
Ringdahl, Joel
Abstract
This study examined response persistence during extinction following the delivery of quantity- or time-based reinforcers. Three typically developing preschool students participated in the study. In Experiment 1, equally preferred quantity-based and time-based reinforcers were identified for each participant. In Experiment 2, response persistence was evaluated during extinction following a period of reinforcement using equivalent variable interval schedules assigned to each reinforcement type. The results of this research further support the finding that reinforcement rate is a predictor of persistence (Nevin, 1974). However, type of reinforcer (i.e., quantity-based or time-based) did not have a uniform effect on the persistence of responding once extinction was implemented.
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