THE FUNCTIONS OF BEHAVIORPSY 3570: Practicum with Special Populations

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Functions

Function is really just another way of saying, “What consequences are produced by a behavior?” Or, perhaps, what consequences have typically

been produced in the past? All behavior serves a function

Get something Get rid of something Avoid something

In other words, if behavior occurs, it’s because it’s reinforced

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Functions

Why do we care about functions? Once we know what consequences a

behavior is producing, we can modify OUR behavior accordingly

What’s the big deal with reinforcement contingencies? Once we figure them out, we can put

together interventions DRA

Functional Communication Training Social skills training

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History

Topography based behavioral interventions (the behaviors are what’s important) What does the behavior look like? How can we modify it?

Later, emphasis on function grows (the contingencies are what’s important) WHY is the behavior occurring? What can we do with that information?

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Advantages

Function based analysis and intervention has some distinct advantages Understanding why the behavior occurs Guides us towards what skills to teach Teaching replacement behaviors Less need for punishment

Can use extinction

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Common Functions (Reinforcement Contingencies)

So what are the typical functions of problem behaviors? Most fall into four main categories Some behaviors can have multiple maintaining

contingencies Categories (Classic view)

Socially Mediated Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement (Escape)

Non-socially Mediated Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement (Escape)

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Common Functions (Reinforcement Contingencies)

Categories – Iwata, et al (1992) Attention Access to tangibles Escape Automatic

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Socially Mediated

Positive Reinforcement (Iwata) Attention Access to tangibles (through another

person) Negative Reinforcement/Escape (Iwata)

Task removal Person removal Change of environment

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Non-Socially Mediated

Positive Reinforcement (Iwata) Self-Stimulatory Behaviors

Sensory reinforcement Visual Auditory Tactile

Negative Reinforcement (Escape) Sensory escape

Pain attenuation

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Determining Functions

Functional Assessment As assessment of the variables

controlling a behavior Different Types:

1. Informant assessments (interviews)

2. Descriptive assessments (direct observation, ABC, etc)

3. Functional analysis (experimental manipulations)

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Important Information

Operational definition of the behavior(s) Before conditions

Immediate Establishing operations

After conditions Settings Any other contributing factors

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Informant Assessments

Interviews or checklists Can be with the client Or with the person who observes the behavior

the most Pro’s

Quick Simple Cost-effective

Con’s Does not provide scientific data Self-report can be inaccurate

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Descriptive Assessments

Direct observation and data collection Can be done by the behavior analyst Or a competent observer

Pro’s Clearer picture of ABC Relatively easy for a trained observer Relatively inexpensive

Con’s Only effective if you can actually see the behavior More accurate, but still not experimental

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Functional Analyses

Controlling and manipulating the suspected controlling variables Should only be performed by a qualified

behavior analyst Pro’s

Most accurate data, clear picture of variables Most scientifically sound form of assessment

Con’s Most effort and resources required Risk of increasing problem behaviors in short

term

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Functional Analyses

Typical test conditions Control

The “ideal” environment Attention

Ignored until behavior occurs Escape

Working until behavior occurs Alone

Designed to test for automatic reinforcement

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Results

The goal of any Functional Assessment Define the behavior operationally Determine the controlling variables Do something with that information

More on this next week

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Summary

All behavior occurs for a reason We need to determine that reason

scientifically Functional assessments are the tool we

use Once you know why the behavior occurs,

you must put it to use More on this next week

You should ALWAYS seek out an experienced behavior analyst to oversee this process