MODIFYING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RETARDED SHELTERED WORKSHOP CLIENTS: USE OF LIGHT CUED LIMITED-HOLD

• Main Author: DITTY, JEFFREY ALLAN
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1982
• Subjects: Educational psychology
• ISBN: 9798403457859

Over the past decade it has been demonstrated that mentally retarded subjects are quite capable of complex task acquisition. However, the acquisition of complex tasks does not guarantee that they will be performed quickly and consistently enough to insure vocational success. A review of the literature in this area indicated that while various methodologies have been used to improve rates of productivity in mentally retarded workers, no single method was found effective for all subjects. Further, even though the technology is available to better train these workers, there is no standard, or comprehensive program in use at this time. In an effort to extend the literature regarding the above mentioned problem areas, this study investigated the effects on rates of productivity, performance fluctuation, and on-task behavior, across six retarded subjects, of a multi-treatment approach consisting of: (1) staff proximity, (2) semi-isolated work area, (3) goal setting, (4) social reinforcement, (5) tangible reinforcement (tokens), (6) verbal feedback, and (7) differential reinforcement of high rates of behavior. Moreover, this study examined whether the addition of light cued limited-hold would further increase the effectiveness of the multi-treatment package. A single subject ABCB repeated measures design was used for this study. The data were analyzed by treatment X subject analyses of variance, the Tukey comparison of means procedure, and trend analyses. Results indicated that: (1) the addition of light cued limited-hold to the multi-treatment package was more effective in increasing rates of productivity than the multi-treatment package alone, (2) these positive results were achieved by all six subjects, (3) neither treatment produced changes in the rates of performance fluctuation or on-task behavior, and (4) gradually decreasing limited-hold intervals did not correlate with increased rates of productivity, however the treatment period may not have been long enough. The results of this study would appear to have implications for both reducing staff and subject training time and for increasing the financial benefits of subjects and training centers.