McCord, B. E., Iwata, B. A., Galensky, T. L., Ellingson, S. A., & Thomson, R. J. (2001).
Functional analysis and treatment of problem behavior evoked by noise.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
34, 447-462.
We conducted a four-part investigation to develop methods for
assessing and treating problem behavior evoked by noise. In Phase
1, 7 participants with developmental disabilities who were
described as being hypersensitive to specific noises were exposed
to a series of noises under controlled conditions. Results for 2
of the participants verified that noise was apparently an
aversive event. In Phase 2, results of functional analyses
indicated that these 2 participants' problem behaviors were
maintained by escape from noise. In Phase 3, preference
assessments were conducted to identify reinforcers that might be
used during treatment. Finally, in Phase 4, the 2 participants'
problem behaviors were successfully treated with extinction,
stimulus fading, and a
differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) contingency
(only 1 participant required DRO). Treatment effects for both
participants generalized to their home environments and were
maintained during a follow-up assessment. Procedures and results
were discussed in terms of their relevance to the systematic
assessment of noise as an establishing operation (EO) and, more
generally, to the identification of idiosyncratic EO influences
on behavior.
DESCRIPTORS: _escape behavior, establishing operations, functional
analysis, noise