Nathan A. Call, Ryan S. Pabico, & Joanna E. Lomas. (2009)
Use of latency to problem behavior to evaluate demands for inclusion in functional analyses.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
42, 723-728.
Few direct-assessment procedures are designed to identify potential
negative reinforcers (e.g., including demands in the escape condition
of functional analyses). Two participants were systematically exposed
to a series of demands nominated by caregivers as potential negative
reinforcers. Sessions ended following the first instance of problem
behavior, and a hierarchy of demand aversiveness was created based
on the latency to the first problem behavior. Subsequent functional
analyses confirmed the predictive value of the hierarchy, with shorter
latency demands consistently producing more differentiated functional
analysis outcomes.
DESCRIPTORS: demand, escape-maintained problem behavior, functional analysis, latency, negative reinforcer