Sequential and matching analyses of self-injurious behavior: A case of overmatching in the natural environment.

Symons, F. J., Hoch, J., Dahl, N. A., & McComas, J. J. (2003). Sequential and matching analyses of self-injurious behavior: A case of overmatching in the natural environment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 267-270.

In this study, we examined the relation between naturally occurring rates of self-injurious behavior and appropriate communicative behavior using prospective sequential and matching analyses of descriptive data. Results from both analyses suggested reliable covariation between both forms of behavior and staff attention. Findings are discussed in terms of the applicability of quantitative descriptive analyses to characterize behavior–environment relations in natural contexts.

DESCRIPTORS: _destructive behavior, descriptive analysis, sequential analysis, matching law