Effects of Response Cost Contingencies on Thumbsucking and Related Behaviours in the Classroom

Thumbsucking and two related behaviours (head rubbing and object mouthing) were observed in two 7‐year‐old girls in classroom settings. Using a mixed multiple baseline across subjects and ABAB design, a response cost procedure was applied by the classroom teachers to the thumbsucking behaviour. The procedure reduced thumbsucking, and as long as it continued to be applied with one of the children her thumbsucking behaviour remained at low levels. Data obtained on the other two behaviours were consistent with but did not provide definitive support for spill‐over effects for head rubbing and behavioural contrast effects for object mouthing. In addition to demonstrating the effects of the treatment procedure, these results emphasise the importance of using multiple measures in applied studies of punishment and self‐stimulatory behaviours.