Date of Award
3-1995
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Human Services Agency Management
Abstract
This thesis examines the comparative effectiveness of positive reinforcement and aversive therapy techniques in managing tantrum behaviors among mildly mentally disabled adults residing in group homes in Marshall, Missouri. The study involved twenty-one participants, ages thirty-one to sixty, who regularly exhibited tantrum behaviors. Data were collected from historical records spanning 1992–1994, as well as from ongoing observations during the research period. Six trained staff members documented the frequency, duration, and responses to both therapeutic approaches.
Positive reinforcement techniques included verbal praise, token economies, and the Premack principle, while aversive methods consisted of ignoring behaviors, time-out procedures, scolding, and overcorrection. The study emphasized decreasing, rather than eliminating, tantrum behaviors to help participants achieve greater self-control and independence.
Findings indicated that positive reinforcement consistently reduced problematic behaviors more effectively than aversive therapies. Statistical analysis, including t-tests, confirmed a significant difference in behavior outcomes between the two methods, with reinforcement producing more sustainable and ethically sound results. Participants demonstrated improved consistency, increased self-esteem, and greater engagement in daily activities when reinforcement strategies were employed. Conversely, aversive techniques often led to negative side effects such as hostility, avoidance, and diminished learning opportunities.
The project also highlighted ethical considerations, stressing that punishment-based interventions risk misuse and adverse emotional consequences. The results support the conclusion that positive reinforcement not only decreases tantrum behaviors but also fosters personal growth, community acceptance, and enhanced quality of life for mentally disabled individuals. The study recommends prioritizing reinforcement-based strategies in behavior management programs, while reserving aversive techniques as a last resort.
Recommended Citation
Simmons, Cynthia A., "Positive Reinforcement Versus Aversive Therapy Techniques When Dealing with Tantrum Behaviors of Mentally Retarded Individuals" (1995). Theses. 1440.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1440
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