Moore, J. W., Mueller, M. M., Dubard, M., Roberts, D. S., & Sterling-Turner, H. E. (2002).
The influence of therapist attention on self-injury during a tangible condition.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
35, 283-286.
This study investigated the effects of therapist attention on the
self-injurious behavior (SIB) of a 6-year-old girl with
developmental disabilities. After results of a functional
analysis indicated that SIB was maintained by attention and
tangible reinforcement, tangible conditions with and without
contingent verbal attention were compared. Results suggested that
the inclusion of verbal attention in a tangible condition may
confound functional analysis outcomes for behavior that is
maintained by attention.
DESCRIPTORS: _functional analysis, positive reinforcement,
self-injurious behavior, tangible condition