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Operant Variability:An Experimental Analysis of Consequential Control over Response Variation

Murray, Clodagh Mary
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http://hdl.handle.net/10379/3286
 https://doi.org/10.13025/16839
Publication Date
2012-09-29
Keywords
Operant variability, Autism spectrum disorder, Restricted repetitive behaviours, Lag schedules, Play, Psychology
Type
Thesis
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Abstract
This thesis investigated the differences in response variability between children and adolescents with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurotypical children and adolescents. It also examined ,methods for increasing variability in individuals with ASD using automated programs and, subsequently, naturalistic toy play settings. Significant differences were found between the two groups and low variability in responding was found to be related to restricted repetitive behaviours in individuals with ASD. The effect of lag schedules on variability was investigated and higher lag values were associated with greater response variability. Lag schedules were also found to increase variability in play actions with toys for children with ASD. Suggestions were made for incorporating lag schedules into early intervention programming for this population.
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland
cbn
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University of Galway Theses (PhD Theses)