False-positive tangible outcomes of functional analyses

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Psychology

Background:

• Functional Analysis (FA) is the most precise method for identifying variables maintaining problem behavior.
• FA results can be influenced by sensitivity to assessment conditions, potentially leading to false positives.
• The role of tangible reinforcement in producing false-positive outcomes in FA is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the susceptibility of FA to tangible reinforcement.
• To determine if a new response is acquired more readily under a tangible contingency compared to other FA conditions.
• To investigate if problem behavior, without a known social function, emerges under tangible reinforcement.

Main Methods:

• Study 1: Assessed acquisition of a new response under a tangible contingency versus other common FA conditions.
• Study 2: Evaluated the emergence of problem behavior under tangible reinforcement when no social function was present.
• Utilized principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and experimental design.

Main Results:

• Results suggest that the inclusion of tangible reinforcement in FA requires careful consideration.
• The acquisition of responses may be influenced by the presence of tangible items.
• Problem behavior can emerge in the presence of tangible reinforcement, even without a clear social function.

Conclusions:

• The tangible condition in FA should be implemented with caution.
• Selection of tangible items should be based on items present in the individual's natural environment.
• This research highlights the importance of refining FA methodology to ensure accurate identification of behavior-maintaining variables.