ASSESSING AND PROGRAMMING GENERALIZED BEHAVIORAL REDUCTION ACROSS MULTIPLE STIMULUS PARAMETERS

Generalization across three stimulus parameters was examined for 5 ind ividuals whose self-injurious behavior was maintained by escape from t ask demands. Prior to treatment, three stimulus parameters (therapist, setting, and demands) were systematically varied across baseline sess ions. These variables were held constant during treatment, which consi sted of escape extinction. When treatment was completed, three novel s timulus parameters were probed. If the rate of self-injury was high du ring this probe, treatment was reimplemented with one new stimulus par ameter (the other two were the same as in the original treatment condi tion). Following this second treatment, another probe with three novel stimuli was conducted. If the rate of self-injury was again high, tre atment was implemented again while a second stimulus parameter was cha nged. This sequence continued until generalization was observed across the three parameters. Results showed idiosyncratic differences in gen eralization. The behavior of 2 subjects showed complete generalization during the first novel probe. A 3rd subject's behavior showed general ization following treatment across two stimulus parameters (setting an d therapist). The behavior of the 2 remaining subjects showed a comple te lack of generalization across the three parameters; both subjects r equired training for novelty by randomly varying the stimulus paramete rs for a substantial number of sessions.