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Within‐subject analysis of a prevention strategy for problem behavior
Author(s) -
Fahmie Tara A.,
Iwata Brian A.,
Mead Sarah C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1002/jaba.343
Subject(s) - differential reinforcement , psychological intervention , psychology , reinforcement , set (abstract data type) , intervention (counseling) , functional analysis , applied behavior analysis , behavior change , developmental psychology , social psychology , computer science , autism , psychiatry , biochemistry , chemistry , gene , programming language
Although decades of research on functional analysis methodology have identified common contingencies that maintain problem behavior and effective interventions, relatively little research has been conducted on strategies to prevent the initial development of problem behavior. We conducted a 2‐part case study, the purposes of which were to illustrate the use of sensitivity tests as the bases for intervention (Study 1) and subsequently to assess the efficacy of a prevention strategy using a single‐subject design (Study 2). Results showed that the sensitivity tests identified establishing operations that may set the occasion for the development of problem behavior and that interventions based on differential reinforcement prevented increases in the severity of problem behavior relative to untreated and control baselines. Benefits and limitations to this individualized approach to prevention are discussed.