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Some effects of praise during the escape condition of the functional analysis
Author(s) -
Weyman Jennifer R.,
Bloom Sarah E.,
Campos Claudia,
Garcia Anna R.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.1763
Subject(s) - praise , psychology , reinforcement , functional analysis , compliance (psychology) , developmental psychology , affect (linguistics) , social psychology , cognitive psychology , audiology , communication , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , gene
Many researchers provide praise for complying with demands during the escape condition of the functional analysis (FA). However, praise may function as a reinforcer for some individuals which may reduce the aversiveness of task presentation or increase behavior that competes with problem behavior (e.g., compliance with demands). In general, this may result in lower or less stable levels of problem behavior and decrease the efficiency of the FA. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate some effects of praise on the rate of problem behavior and compliance during the escape condition of the FA in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We found that praise did not affect the rate of problem behavior but did increase compliance in three of five subjects. The results of the study and implications for the assessment of problem behavior are discussed.