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Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE
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A procedure for identifying precursors to problem behavior.

Brandon Herscovitch1, Eileen M Roscoe, Myrna E Libby

  • 1New England Center for Children, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772, USA.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|March 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a method to identify precursor behaviors for functional analysis. Indirect and descriptive assessments effectively pinpointed precursors, confirming their utility in predicting target behaviors.

Keywords:
descriptive assessmentfunctional analysisprecursorsproblem behaviorresponse-class hierarchies

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Applied behavior analysis

Background:

  • Functional analysis is crucial for understanding behavior.
  • Identifying precursor behaviors can aid in predicting and intervening in target behaviors.
  • Current methods for precursor identification require empirical validation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a procedure for differentiating potential precursor responses.
  • To validate the use of indirect and descriptive assessments in identifying precursor behaviors.
  • To demonstrate the empirical utility of precursor identification in functional analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Conditional probability analysis of descriptive assessment data.
  • Comparison of results from indirect and descriptive assessments.
  • Arrangement of contingencies for identified precursors in a functional analysis.

Main Results:

  • Three potential precursor responses were identified using conditional probability analysis.
  • Indirect assessment results aligned with descriptive assessment findings.
  • The strongest precursor identified via indirect assessment showed the highest probability.
  • Functional analysis confirmed the same function for the precursor as the target behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Indirect and descriptive assessment methods are empirically supported for identifying precursor behavior.
  • The validated procedure aids in differentiating and utilizing precursor responses in functional analysis.
  • This approach enhances the prediction and intervention of target behaviors through precursor identification.