Thompson, R. H., & Iwata, B. A. (2001).
A descriptive analysis of social consequences following problem behavior.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
34, 169-178.
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.
DESCRIPTORS: _descriptive analysis, assessment, functional
analysis, self-injurious behavior, aggression, disruptive
behavior