Behavior analysis

Sample Solution

Synopsis of Article:

Title: The Effects of Premack Precedes on Mand Repertoire Development in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors: Vanessa A. Correa, Lauren K. K. Iwata, & Mary Jane Kearon

Journal: Behavioral Interventions

Year: 2021

Synopsis:

This research article investigates the effectiveness of using premack precedes (a type of antecedent manipulation) in developing mand (requesting) repertoires of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Premack precedes involve reinforcing a desired behavior (manding) with access to a preferred activity (premack) contingent on emitting the mand.

The study compared the effectiveness of three intervention conditions:

• Premack precedes: Children were taught to mand for preferred activities (e.g., playing with toys) by first requesting them verbally or through picture cards.
• Non-contingent reinforcement: Children received access to preferred activities regardless of requesting them.
• Attention: Children received verbal praise and attention for any vocalizations, but not specifically for manding.

The results indicated that children in the premack precedes condition acquired a wider range of mands and mastered them more quickly compared to the other two groups. This suggests that using premack precedes can be an effective strategy for teaching mands to children with ASD.

Full Answer Section

Additional Points:

• The study highlights the importance of antecedent manipulations like premack precedes in behavior analysis for promoting desired behaviors in individuals with ASD.
• The research contributes to understanding effective strategies for developing communication skills in young children with ASD.

Note: This is just a brief synopsis, and the full article provides a more detailed exploration of the research methodology, findings, and limitations.