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The effect of time-out release contingencies on changes in child noncompliance

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Abstract

This project evaluated the effect of time-out release contingencies on changes in child noncompliance to maternal instructions. Twenty-four clinic-referred, noncompliant, preschool children served as subjects. Each child was assessed under baseline conditions and then under one of three experimental conditions: Parent Release, Child Release, or Control. Children in the Parent Release and Child Release conditions experienced time-out contingent upon noncompliance. Temporal and behavioral time-out release contingencies were present in the Parent Release condition but not in the Child Release condition. A spanking procedure was used to inhibit premature escape from time-out for children in the Parent Release group. The results indicated that both time-out groups demonstrated increased compliance ratios. However, improvement associated with the Child Release condition was considered to be clinically insignificant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Idaho State University, 83209, Pocatello, Idaho

    Arthur W. Bean & Mark W. Roberts

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  1. Arthur W. Bean
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  2. Mark W. Roberts
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Additional information

The authors wish to express their appreciation to Dave DeLawyer, Larry Snapp, and Mike Samac for their assistance in conducting the study.

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Bean, A.W., Roberts, M.W. The effect of time-out release contingencies on changes in child noncompliance. J Abnorm Child Psychol 9, 95–105 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00917860

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00917860

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