Effectiveness of Brief Time-Out with and Without a Contingent Delay: A Comparative Analysis

Author(s)

Floyd C. Mace, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Terry J. Paige, Lehigh University
Martin T. Ivancic, Lehigh University
Shirley O'Brien, Lehigh University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 1986

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Volume

19

Issue/Number

1

First Page

79

ISSN

0021-8855

Last Page

86

Abstract/Excerpt

We evaluated a commonly used component of brief time-out, in which release from time-out is delayed contingent on the occurrence of disruption. Data were collected for one normal and two mentally retarded children on time-out-producing behaviors (aggression and disruption) as well as delay-producing behaviors during time-out (loud vocalizations, out-of-chair, aggression, and disruption). The results of a combination ABAC reversal and multiple-baseline design indicated that, under the conditions used in this investigation, both delay and no delay variations were effective in reducing the frequency of the target behaviors. Implications for the use of time-out to reduce aberrant behaviors are discussed.

DOI

10.1901/jaba.1986.19-79

NSUWorks Citation

Mace, F. C., Paige, T. J., Ivancic, M. T., O'Brien, S. (1986). Effectiveness of Brief Time-Out with and Without a Contingent Delay: A Comparative Analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 19(1), 79-86.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/364