Relative effects of four resurgence-mitigation strategies informed by behavioral momentum theory

Abstract

Behavioral momentum theory (BMT) posits that particular independent variables may be adjusted during routine differential-reinforcement treatments (e.g., functional communication training) to reduce resurgence of severe destructive behavior. Across four consecutive studies using similar preparations and participants, our research group investigated four BMT-informed mitigation strategies: (a) lean reinforcement rates for target behavior during baseline, (b) lean reinforcement rates for alternative behavior during treatment, (c) a longer treatment duration, and (d) a combined approach including all three refinements. In the current study, we analyzed the relevance of each BMT-informed strategy sourced from four published studies and included three additional participants resulting in a total of 24 data sets. Lean reinforcement rates during baseline and the combined approach resulted in the largest reductions in resurgence when analyzed as a proportion of baseline. We contextualize these findings in relation to BMT's account of resurgence and implications for practice.