Lalli, J. S., & Casey, S. D. (1996).
Treatment of multiply controlled problem behavior.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
29, 391-396.
The aggressive behavior of a young boy with developmental delays
occurred most frequently following a request to pick up his toys.
The request ended a period of play and social interaction. This
suggested the presence of multiple establishing operations. The
initial treatment consisted of praise, a break, and access to the
toys contingent on compliance. Results showed that aggression
decreased only when we added social interaction to the break.
Findings are discussed regarding treating multiply controlled
problem behavior without extinction.
DESCRIPTORS: functional analysis, multiply controlled problem
behavior, quality of reinforcement