The Influence of Duration on the Effects of Time-Out from Speaking

The influence of the variable of duration on the effects of time-out from speaking was investigated. Forty-five adolescent and adult stutterers participated in a study which examined the relative effects of time-out of one, five, 10, and 30 seconds and no time-out. Response-contingent time-out from speaking of all four durations resulted in significant reductions in stuttering frequency while the no time-out control showed no change. Although longer durations tended to effect greater reductions in stuttering frequency, no reliable differences between time-out durations were found. It was concluded that the punishing effects of the time-out from speaking procedure were predominantly due to its involving contingent interruption of speaking, and that the actual duration of the period of silence was comparatively unimportant. Present findings seem to provide little support for the notion that time-out from speaking primarily represents time-out from positive reinforcement.