Precision Request: A Secondary Analysis of the Use of Praise, Response Cost, and Reprimand

The precision request (PR) is a semi-scripted request sequence incorporating antecedent and consequence procedures designed to improve compliance. In a previous study, we demonstrated that PR can increase the compliance of students receiving special education services under the category of emotional disturbance (ED). However, the PR includes a punishment procedure (i.e., response cost), which may be unwise for ethical, legal, and practical reasons. In this study, we evaluated secondary data from the previous study to examine the impact of PR on the teacher’s use of praise, response cost, and reprimands. We found that the teacher’s use of the PR was associated with an increase in teacher praise and decreases in both response cost and reprimands. We also discuss the possible active elements of the PR intervention for improving student compliance. Implications and limitations are discussed.