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Analysis of response class hierarchies with attention-maintained problem behaviors
J W Harding1, D P Wacker, W K Berg
1University Hospital School, The University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1011, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|April 25, 2001
Summary
This study clarified functional analysis outcomes by examining problem behaviors. Mild and severe behaviors were found to be part of the same response class, with milder behaviors preceding severe ones.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Applied Behavior Analysis
Background:
- Functional analysis is crucial for understanding problem behavior.
- Inconclusive outcomes necessitate refined analytical methods.
Observation:
- Replication of a method using extinction analysis on separate topographies of problem behavior.
- Involved two participants with varying problem behaviors.
Findings:
- Results indicated that both mild and severe problem behaviors constitute a single response class.
- Response latency analysis supported a response class hierarchy hypothesis.
- Mild problem behaviors consistently preceded severe topographies.
Implications:
- This method enhances the precision of functional analysis.
- Understanding response class hierarchies aids in targeted intervention design.
- Findings contribute to the theoretical framework of behavior analysis.
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