Piazza, C. C., Bowman, L. G., Contrucci, S. A., Delia, M. D., Adelinis, J. D., & Goh, H. (1999).
An evaluation of the properties of attention as reinforcement for destructive and appropriate behavior.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 437-449.
The analogue functional analysis described by Iwata, Dorsey,
Slifer, Bauman, and Richman (1982/1994) identifies broad classes
of variables (e.g., positive reinforcement) that maintain
destructive behavior (Fisher, Ninness, Piazza, &
Owen-DeSchryver, 1996). However, it is likely that some types of
stimuli may be more effective reinforcers than others. In the
current investigation, we identified 2 participants whose
destructive behavior was maintained by attention. We used
concurrent schedules of reinforcement to evaluate how different
types of attention affected both destructive and appropriate
behavior. We showed that for 1 participant praise was not an
effective reinforcer when verbal reprimands were available;
however, praise was an effective reinforcer when verbal
reprimands were unavailable. For the 2nd participant, we
identified a type of attention that effectively competed with
verbal reprimands as reinforcement. We then used the information
obtained from the assessments to develop effective treatments to
reduce destructive behavior and increase an alternative
communicative response.
DESCRIPTORS: functional analysis, attention, destructive behavior