Citation

Thompson RH, Iwata BA. J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 2001; 34(2): 169-178.

Affiliation

The University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Wiley-Blackwell)

DOI

10.1901/jaba.2001.34-169

PMID

11421309

PMCID

PMC1284309

Abstract

The social consequences delivered for problem behavior during functional analyses are presumed to represent common sources of reinforcement; however, the extent to which these consequences actually follow problem behavior in natural settings remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether access to attention, escape, or tangible items is frequently observed as a consequence of problem behavior under naturalistic conditions. Twenty-seven adults who lived in a state residential facility and who exhibited self-injurious behavior, aggression, or disruption participated. Observers recorded the occurrence of problem behavior by participants as well as a variety of consequences delivered by caregivers. Results indicated that attention was the most common consequence for problem behavior and that aggression was more likely to produce social consequences than were other forms of problem behavior.

Language: en