Gregory P. Hanley, Cathleen C. Piazza, Wayne W. Fisher, & Kristen A. Maglieri (2005).
On the effectiveness of and preference for punishment and extinction components of function-based interventions.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
38, 51-65.
The current study describes an assessment sequence that may be
used to identify individualized, effective, and preferred
interventions for severe problem behavior in lieu of relying on a restricted
set of treatment options that are assumed to be in the best
interest of consumers. The relative effectiveness of functional
communication training (FCT) with and without a punishment component
was evaluated with 2 children for whom functional analyses
demonstrated behavioral maintenance via social positive reinforcement.
The results showed that FCT plus punishment was more
effective than FCT in reducing problem behavior. Subsequently,
participants' relative preference for each treatment was evaluated
in a concurrent-chains arrangement, and both participants
demonstrated a clear preference for FCT with punishment. These
findings suggest that the treatment-selection process may be
guided by person-centered and evidence-based values.
DESCRIPTORS: aversive, choice, concurrent chains,
developmental disabilities, evidence-based values, functional
analysis, functional communication training, punishment