Smith, R. G., & Iwata, B. A. (1997).
Antecedent influences on behavior disorders.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
30, 343-375.
The influence of antecedent events on behavior disorders has been
relatively understudied by applied behavior analysts. This lack
of research may be due to a focus on consequences as determinants
of behavior and a historical disagreement on a conceptual
framework for describing and interpreting antecedent variables.
We suggest that antecedent influences can be described using
terms derived from basic behavioral principles and that their
functional properties can be adequately interpreted as
discriminative and establishing operations. A set of studies on
assessment and treatment of behavior disorders was selected for
review based on their relevance to the topic of antecedent
events. These studies were categorized as focusing on assessment
of antecedent events, antecedent treatments for behavior
disorders maintained by either positive or negative
reinforcement, and special cases of antecedent events in behavior
disorders. Some directions for future research on antecedent
influences in the analysis and treatment of behavior disorders
are discussed.
DESCRIPTORS: antecedent events, behavior disorders, establishing
operations, functional analysis