Laboratory evaluations of a common behavioral treatment

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的项目代表了一个独特的 通常进行研究的研究人员之间的合作努力 发展性残疾的行为治疗， 有实验室研究工作记录的研究者。的 目标是评估行为治疗（反应独立强化 时间表）使用动物模型和标准操作性实验室程序。 反应独立的时间表最近已被用于治疗严重的 行为障碍，如自伤和攻击。总的来说， 响应独立计划是有效的，因为它们打破了偶然性 一种行为和某种强化后果之间的联系然而，与所有 行为治疗，反应独立的时间表并不总是有效的。 以下是导致治疗有效或无效的一些可能因素 在这些研究中，大鼠的杠杆压迫将在最初得到加强 在依赖于响应的时间表上（即，回应将产生获得食物的机会 预处理器;这模拟“预处理”条件）。其次，响应独立 将引入时间表（即，回应将不会对 更快的递送;这模仿“治疗”）。第一个具体目标是 评估响应独立时间表的影响， 与基线复发率相似或不相似。第二特定 目的是评估单个独立于响应的调度（即，一 治疗）受到在其之前的反应依赖性基线的影响。 基线和治疗方法在某种意义上是相似或不同的， 将按固定的时间表按时交付相对 对于这两个特定的目标，假设治疗将更多 当它们与基线相对不同时有效（无论是在 汇率或汇率呈现格式）。的长期目标 这些项目是为了启动一个持续的合作努力， 与行为治疗相关的应用研究。此外，研究 可以直接导致更好地应用反应独立治疗， 时间表。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed project represents a unique collaborative effort between a researcher who ordinarily conducts research on behavioral treatments in developmental disabilities, and the co-principal investigator who has an established record of operant laboratory research. The goal is to evaluate a behavioral treatment (response-independent reinforcement schedules) using animal models and standard operant laboratory procedures. Response-independent schedules have been used recently as treatment for severe behavior disorders such as self-injury and aggression. In general, response-independent schedules are effective because they break the contingency between a behavior and some reinforcing consequence. However, as with all behavioral treatments, response-independent schedules are not always effective. Some possible factors leading to treatment efficacy or inefficacy will be evaluated in these studies. Lever pressing in rats will be initially reinforced on a response-dependent schedule (i.e., responding will produce access to food reinforcers; this mimics "pretreatment" conditions). Next, response-independent schedules will be introduced (i.e., responding will have no effect on reinforcer delivery; this mimics "treatment"). The first specific aim is to evaluate the effects of response-independent schedules as a function of similarity or dissimilarity to baseline reinforcer rates. The second specific aim is to evaluate whether a single response-independent schedule (i.e., one treatment) is influenced by the response-dependent baseline that precedes it. The baselines and treatments will either be similar or dissimilar in the sense that reinforcers will be delivered variably or on a set schedule. In relation to both specific aims, it is hypothesized that treatments will be more effective when they are relatively distinct from baseline (either in terms of reinforcer rate or reinforcer presentation format). The long-term objective of these projects is to initiate an ongoing collaborative effort of basic and applied research related to behavioral treatments. In addition, the studies could lead directly to better application of response-independent treatment schedules.