Kuhn, D.E., DeLeon, I.G., Fisher, W.W. & Wilke, A.E. (1999).
Clarifying an ambiguous functional analysis with matched and mismatched extinction procedures.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 99-102.
Results of a functional analysis were ambiguous in suggesting that self-
injurious behavior (SIB) was maintained by escape, sensory reinforcement, or both. To help clarify these results, we
compared escape extinction, sensory extinction, and the combined treatments. Sensory extinction proved to be a necessary
and sufficient treatment, whereas escape extinction failed to decrease SIB. These analyses helped to clarify the function of
SIB and to identify an effective and efficient treatment.
DESCRIPTORS: extinction, functional analysis, self-injurious behavior