Behaviors do not occur in isolation. If they occur on a regular basis, they are serving some purpose or function. Think about behaviors in which you engage on a regular basis. Why do you keep doing them? Your readings illustrate that there are only three functions of a behavior: (1) positive reinforcement—you get something you like (i.e., attention or something tangible), (2) negative reinforcement—you escape or avoid something you do not like, and (3) self-stimulation (i.e., automatic reinforcement).
For this Discussion, you will develop an understanding of a critical element in functional analysis and assessment—reinforcement. You will identify and describe a behavior in your life and explain the type of reinforcement that maintains it (i.e., positive, negative, or automatic).
To Prepare
- Review the Learning Resources for this week, including the required weekly media programs, to explore functional analysis and functional assessment and gain an understanding of continuous measurement procedures and sampling procedures. Note: It is critical for you to review all media for this week prior to completing this Discussion.
- From the readings, focus on how your understanding of the functions of behavior (i.e., ABC analysis) guide you in developing efficacious interventions.
- Consider behaviors in your own life that may be maintained by social positive reinforcement, social negative reinforcement, and automatic reinforcement. Then, select a single problem behavior that could be maintained by any one of the following:
- Social positive reinforcement
- Social negative reinforcement
- Automatic reinforcement
- Post a description of a single problem behavior you select that could be maintained by each of the following. Provide an example of each.a. Social positive reinforcementb. Social negative reinforcementc. Automatic reinforcement
Resources
- Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
- Chapter 27, “Functional Behavior Assessment” (pp. 628–653)
- Gresham, F. M., Watson, T. S., & Skinner, C. H. (2001). Functional behavioral assessment: Principles, procedures, and future directionsLinks to an external site.. School Psychology Review, 30 (2), 156–172.
- Scott, T. M., Bucalos, A., Liaupsin, C., Nelson, C. M., Jolivette, K., & DeShea, L. (2004). Using functional behavior assessment in general education settings: Making a case for effectiveness and efficiencyLinks to an external site.. Behavioral Disorders, 29 (2), 189–204. doi:10.1177/019874290402900207