Abstract

MORALES CHAINE, Silvia  and  SANTOYO VELASCO, Carlos. Resistance to Change of an Academic Task in Children. Rev. mex. anál. conducta [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.1, pp.39-60. ISSN 0185-4534.

Resistance to change of an academic task in children was studied. Solving single digit-addition problems was reinforced with tokens that could be exchanged for preferred food or toys. An ABAC design was used, in which B and C were the resistance to change tests: extinction and presession token delivery, respectively. During each experimental condition, a three component- multiple schedule was in effect. The components were signaled differentially by the color of the paper on which the addition problems were presented. Within the three components, one of the following concurrent schedules was in effect: extinction-variable interval 15 s, extinction-variable interval 60 s or variable interval 20 s-variable interval 60 s. The concurrent schedules were arranged by placing a colored paper with the addition problems at each side of the participants, with either side associated with the described extinction or variable-interval schedules. Problem solving occurred at a higher rate and was more resistant to disruption during the component in which variable-interval schedules were arranged in both options of the concurrent schedule. The findings are discussed in terms of response-reinforcer and stimulus-reinforcer relations.

Keywords : Response rate; resistance to change; academic behavior; children.