SOME DETERMINANTS OF THE REINFORCING AND PUNISHING EFFECTS OF TIMEOUT1

Abstract

The 1st experiment was an attempt to reduce the frequency of tantrums in a 6 yr old autistic girl by using timeout. A substantial increase in the frequency of tantrums was noted. Using a reversal design, subsequent manipulations showed that the opportunity to engage in self-stimulatory behavior during the timeout period was largely responsible for the increase in tantrums. The 2nd experiment was initiated following the failure of timeout to reduce the spitting and self-injurious behavior of a 16 yr old retarded boy. Using a multiple-baseline design, the nature of the timein environment was shown to be an important determinant of the effects of timeout. When the timein environment was enriched, timeout was effective as a punisher. A conception of timeout in terms of the relative reinforcing properties of timein and timeout and their clinical implications were discussed.