Date of Award

2000

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Johnny Matson

Abstract

Levels treatment packages are widely used across many populations and settings. Most packages involve standardized procedures implemented across multiple participants. The current investigation examined the treatment efficacy of individualized levels treatment packages based on the results of functional analyses and systematic preference assessments. Three individuals with developmental disabilities participated in the study. Destructive behaviors for each participant were maintained by positive reinforcement. For one participant, destructive behaviors were maintained by negative reinforcement as well. The levels treatment packages consisted of two or three levels in which the density of attention and access to preferred materials were altered based on the occurrence of destructive behaviors. For all three participants, the functional analysis based levels treatment packages were effective in decreasing destructive behaviors. A component analysis was conducted with one participant to determine the relative contributions of the reinforcement and time-out components. The results suggest that all components of the levels treatment package were necessary for it to be effective.

ISBN

9780599682177

Pages

74

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.7167

Download

Share

COinS