Semester of Graduation

August 2026

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of differential reinforcement (DRO) without extinction, and then the additive effects of time-out, on reducing unsafe playground behavior. The results of the DRO in isolation phase indicated that DRO alone was only consistently effective in reducing or eliminating unsafe behavior for one out of four participants. The other three participants moved on to the multielement comparison where the combination of DRO and time-out (DRO+TO) condition was added. The DRO+TO condition reduced and eliminated unsafe playground behavior for all participants who experienced the condition. Those participants engaged in higher levels of positive social interactions in DRO+TO conditions compared to levels in DRO and baseline. The results of the concurrent chains preference assessment indicated, when given the choice, participants showed preference for one of the intervention conditions.

Date

3-5-2024

Committee Chair

Donaldson, Jeanne M.

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