The Effects of Specific and Disguised Mands on Staff's Reinforcer Delivery

Abstract

Residential facilities for adults with developmental disabilities offer essential accommodations and support services, with fostering communication for residents as an important aspect of care. Despite the importance of communication, previous research has identified concerns about staff performance (SP) in facilitating positive social interactions, such as engaging in consequent-mediating behavior for residents' mands. Previous research has primarily focused on improving SP through skills-based training. Yet, Skinner's theory of verbal behavior emphasizes the social and reciprocal nature of mands. Skinner suggests that the listener's behavior, engaging in consequence-mediating behavior, must be conditioned by the verbal community. However, empirical investigations into the reinforcing practices of staff in residential facilities, such as the shaping and sustaining of different types of resident mands, is limited. The current investigation sought to address this gap in research by evaluating if distinct mand topographies, disguised or specific mands, influenced the likelihood of staff engaging in consequence-mediated behavior across three staff-resident dyads. Results suggest a low probability of staff responding to, or reinforcing, mands, thus limiting conclusions on the effects of mand topographies on staff performance. Future directions and considerations regarding resident-staff interactions are discussed.