NONCONTINGENT REINFORCEMENT: A REVIEW
Recent research has revealed that noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is a viable intervention strategy for reducing problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities. NCR operates by providing a reinforcer regardless of the individual’s behavior. This review will discuss the current research on NCR and its application to the treatment of problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities.
NCR has been studied extensively in laboratory experiments and applied settings with both typically developing individuals and individuals with developmental disabilities. In the laboratory, NCR has been found to reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors when used in a variety of contexts (Kazdin & Bootzin, 1972; Iwata et al., 1982; Iwata et al., 1994). In applied settings, NCR has been found to be an effective treatment for problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities (Fisher et al., 1990; Iwata et al., 1994).
The effectiveness of NCR is thought to be due to its ability to decrease the rate of problem behavior by providing a reinforcer that is independent of the individual’s behavior. This ensures that the individual is never punished for their behavior and that reinforcement is always provided. In addition, NCR can be used in a variety of contexts, allowing the individual to receive reinforcement for a variety of behaviors.
In addition to its effectiveness, NCR is also an easy to use intervention. The procedure is quite simple and does not require a great deal of time or effort to implement. This makes it a highly efficient intervention for individuals who may not have the time or resources to engage in more intensive interventions.
Despite its effectiveness and ease of use, there are some potential drawbacks to NCR. First, NCR can lead to an increase in behavior if the reinforcer is not varied or the individual is given too much reinforcement. This can lead to an increase in problem behavior as the individual seeks out more reinforcement. Second, NCR does not teach the individual new behaviors or skills, so the individual may not develop the skills needed to successfully interact with their environment.
Overall, NCR is a viable intervention for the treatment of problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities. NCR has been shown to be effective in both laboratory and applied settings, and is easy to implement. However, there are some potential drawbacks to NCR, so it is important to carefully consider the individual’s goals and needs before implementing NCR.
References
Fisher, W. W., Piazza, C. C., Bowman, L. G., Hagopian, L. P., Owens, J., & Slevin, I. (1990). Noncontingent reinforcement as a treatment for self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23(3), 333-345.
Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1982). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2(3), 3-20.
Iwata, B. A., Pace, G. M., Kalsher, M. J., Cowdery, G. E., & Cataldo, M. F. (1994). The functions of self-injurious behavior: An experimental-epidemiological analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(2), 215-240.
Kazdin, A. E., & Bootzin, R. R. (1972). Reinforcement and extinction processes in the modification of children’s behavior. In P. M. Smith & M. Jones (Eds.), Punishment and Aversive Behavior (pp. 305-341). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.