Psychology: Critique One
Psychology: Critique One
The current article “Effect of a Variable-ration Reinforcement Schedule with Changing Criteria on Exercise in Obese and Nonobese Boys” by De Luca & Holborn (1992) offer a glimpse on an array of issues aligned with childhood obesity. Precisely, the article focuses on behavioral treatment approaches that can be utilized to manage childhood obesity. The article is based on an experiential research that explored the benefits of reinforced physical activity as one of the behavioral treatment approaches in curbing childhood obesity.
Independent and Dependent Variable
The null hypothesis in De Luca & Holborn (1992) study was that variable-ratio reinforcement schedule with changing criteria has no effect on exercise in obese and nonobese boys. As such, the study sought to prove or disapprove the null hypothesis.
Procedures
De Luca & Holborn (1992) study entailed an array of procedures. The study respondents carried out various exercise sessions, whereby they were asked to pedal a stationary bicycle for the longest time they could. Before the sessions, a baseline was carried out whereby the respondents exercised for eight sessions, which allowed for the introduction of the point system. A reinforcement survey was administered to the respondents during the first week of the baseline. The respondents performed three sessions after a stable baseline had been achieved, which were carried out in phases. The first phase started from session nine (eight sessions were performed during the baseline) and progressed to the second phase at the 17th session when the stability of the first phase had been attained. Third sessions entailed thirteen sessions, but the subjects were returned to the baseline phase after the first eight sessions and continued thereafter. During the sessions, each respondent or subject was given different variable-ratios determined by their performance during the baseline.
Results
The results from De Luca & Holborn (1992) indicate that variable-ratio reinforcement with changing criteria elicits a systematic increase in the exercise rate of both the obese and nonobese children enrolled in the study.
Critique and Conclusion
De Luca & Holborn (1992) article is strengthened by the fact that it used an experimental design. As such, De Luca & Holborn (1992) made evidence-based observations on the effect of variable-rations with changing criteria on the exercise in children. De Luca & Holborn (1992) article is weakened by the fact that it utilized a small sample (6 respondents); hence, the results may not be replicable in a large population. Nonetheless, De Luca & Holborn (1992) offer succinct insights on the implications of behavioral treatment approaches, which are critical in the management of health discrepancies aligned with poor nutritional status.
Reference
De Luca, V. & Holborn, W. (1992). Effect of a Variable-ration Reinforcement Schedule with Changing Criteria on Exercise in Obese and Nonobese Boys. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25(3), 671-679.
