Hagopian, L. P., & Adelinis, J. D. (2001).
Response blocking with and without redirection for the treatment of pica.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
34, 527-530.
Although response blocking can decrease problem behavior, one
potential adverse side effect is the induction of aggression. In
the current study, we report on a young adult who engaged in high
rates of pica maintained by automatic reinforcement. Blocking
pica, however, led to aggression. When redirection to an
alternative preferred food item was added to an intervention
consisting of response blocking, pica was effectively treated
without increasing aggression.
DESCRIPTORS: _extinction-induced aggression, pica, redirection,
response blocking