Date of Award
12-13-2004
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Liberal Studies
First Advisor
Ruth Meese, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Rachel Mathews, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Peggy Tarpley, Ph.D.
Abstract
The focus of this study is to demonstrate that using response cost through applied behavior analysis is an effective treatment for reducing the stereotypic behaviors of individuals with mental retardation. McEntee and Saunders (1997) conducted a study in which response cost was used as an intervention within applied behavior analysis successfully to reduce the stereotypic behaviors in four male individuals with severe or profound mental retardation. An attempt was made to replicate this study and provide further research on the effects of response cost through applied behavior analysis on the stereotypic behaviors of individuals with mental retardation. There were three male participants between the ages of five and seven in this study who demonstrated stereotypic behaviors. Participant 2 and participant 3 had a label of mental retardation, and participant 1 ha a label of developmental delay. Results showed that response cost as an intervention within applied behavior analysis was effective overall in reducing the stereotypic behaviors of participant 1 and participant 2. Participant 3, however, showed an increase in stereotypic behavior. More research needs to be conducted on a larger group of participants before it can be concluded that response cost is or is not effective in reducing the stereotypic behaviors of individuals with mental retardation between the ages of five and seven.
Recommended Citation
Holmes, Crystal, "Reducing the Stereotypic Behavior of Individuals with Mental Retardation Using Response Cost within Applied Behavior Analysis" (2004). Theses & Honors Papers. 105.
https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/etd/105
Included in
Disability and Equity in Education Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons
