ERIC Number: EJ1252229
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-May
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1944-7515
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Do Functional Analyses Probe Learning Histories, or Create Them? An Exploratory Investigation
Lambert, Joseph M.; Houchins-Juárez, Nealetta J.
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, v125 n3 p200-216 May 2020
During functional analysis (FA), therapists arrange contingencies between potential reinforcers and problem behavior. It is unclear whether this fact, in and of itself, facilitates problem behavior's acquisition of new (false-positive) functions. If problem behavior can come under the control of contingencies contrived between it and known reinforcers for which there is no direct history, then outcomes of reinforcer analysis (RA) should perfectly predict FA outcomes. This study evaluated the degree to which RA outcomes corresponded with FA outcomes for eight participants referred to a university-based outpatient clinic for problem behavior. For 75% (6 of 8) of participants, correspondence was imperfect. These findings appear to support the construct validity of contemporary interpretations of FA data.
Descriptors: Functional Behavioral Assessment, Behavior Problems, Reinforcement, Correlation, Contingency Management
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-1897. Tel: 785-843-1235; Fax: 785-843-1274; e-mail: AJMR@allenpress.com; Web site: http://www.aaiddjournals.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A