The effects of an observational conditioning-by-denial intervention on the establishment of three observational learning cusps

We tested the effects of an Observational Conditioning-by-Denial Intervention (OCDI) on the establishment of three observational learning cusps: Observational Performance (OP), Observational Learning of new operants (OL), and Observational Learning of new Reinforcers (OLR). Participants were 6 children, ages 5-8 years, with autism and related disabilities. We employed a multi-element design to test the effects of the OCDI on the establishment of the observational cusps. Post-intervention data demonstrated that initially neutral stimuli became conditioned reinforcers for mastered and learning tasks as function of the OCDI across all participants, replicating prior findings. Data from post-OCDI probes for OP, OL, and OLR demonstrated that missing observational learning cusps were established for 4 of the 6 participants. These results suggest that a single intervention can establish three observational learning cusps for those with necessary prerequisite observing responses. The results are discussed in terms of observational stimulus control and verbal behavior development..