Prompts, Feedback, Positive Reinforcement, and Potty Training

Abstract

Two parents were concerned because their two young girls were delayed in learning to use the potty. In this study we obtained data on the frequency of wet diapers and use of the potty at home. Following baseline, an intervention was implemented that involved increased intake of liquids and salty foods, prompting, and positive reinforcement. Once a substantial decrease in wet diapers was achieved, together with an increase in use of the potty, the girls were offered the opportunity to wear “Princess Underwear!” as an even more powerful prompt and reinforcer. An ABC design was used with each girl. The results showed significant increases in their use of the potty and decreased incidents of wet diapers when the intervention was in effect. Although this design does not rule out possible effects of coincidences, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the intervention produced improvements in potty training.

KEYWORDS:

• children
• diapers
• positive reinforcement
• potty training
• prompting
• toilet training
• underwear

We thank James T. Smith for his assistance as a reliability observer in this study.

This optional study was done in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an undergraduate course taught by the second author.