PS562 Unit 6 Discussion
Understanding Functional Analysis
A functional analysis is designed to identify the function of a behavior targeted for reduction by comparing responding in a condition in which the hypothesized maintaining variable is delivered contingent on the occurrence of the target behavior (test condition) and a condition in which the hypothesized maintaining variable is delivered noncontingently (control condition). In Iwata et al. (1982/1994), you read about three standard test conditions (i.e., contingent attention, contingent escape, and alone) and one control condition (i.e., noncontingent escape and attention). In your primary discussion board post this week, identify another variable that could be responsible for the maintenance of a behavior targeted for reduction and describe how you would design a functional analysis with test and control conditions to determine if the variable was maintaining the target behavior. Discuss any barriers that likely would be encountered while conducting the functional analysis of that behavior and describe how you would overcome them.
Review two of your classmates’ responses, and use the following questions as a guide:
- What type of reinforcement contingency does the hypothesized variable represent?
- Are the test and control conditions capable of identifying whether or not the variable is responsible for the maintenance of the target behavior? Why or why not?
- What ethical precautions should be taken when conducting a functional analysis of this behavior?