Evaluation of renewal mitigation of negatively reinforced socially significant operant behavior

Renewal is a relapse phenomenon that occurs when previously treated target behavior re-emerges as a result of context change. Typically, a target response is reinforced in Context A, extinguished in Context B, and then re-emerges in Context A - despite the continuation of the extinction procedure. In the current study, we initially reinforced inappropriate mealtime behavior or aggression in Context A across three children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Next, therapists either differentially reinforced an alternative response or extinguished responding by terminating the relationship between problem behavior and the reinforcer in Context B. Problem behavior re-emerged upon the return to Context A even though treatments continued. Finally, we tested repeated exposure to Context A and pairing Contexts A and B for mitigating renewal. Results suggested that modification of the training conditions can effectively mitigate renewal of responding.