SUPPRESSION OF STEREOTYPED SCREAMING BEHAVIOR IN A PROFOUNDLY RETARDED INSTITUTIONALIZED FEMALE

The study presented involved the suppression of stereotyped screaming behavior which was of such high frequency and intensity that it was very disrupting to cottage management. The method used was a shock punishment procedure which has been found effective in eliminating or reducing violent, disruptive and self-abusive behaviors in other residents. The first phase involved suppressing the screaming behavior for daily 15-minute periods during which one experimenter administered shock after every response. Next, this suppression procedure was extended to 2 half-hour peroids with two different experimenters. Finally, the procedure was extended to all cottage personnel on a 24-hour basis. © 1969.