A functional analysis of crying

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Developmental Disabilities

Background:

• Crying is often studied alongside other problem behaviors, not in isolation.
• Understanding crying's function is vital for individuals with intellectual disabilities and communication deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze the function of crying in an adolescent with intellectual disabilities.
• To extend functional analysis methodology to the behavior of crying.

Main Methods:

• Functional analysis methodology was applied to crying behavior.
• The study involved an adolescent male diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

Main Results:

• Results indicated that crying was maintained by caregiver attention.
• The attention provided was characterized as sympathetic.

Conclusions:

• Sympathetic caregiver attention appears to function as a maintaining consequence for crying in this population.
• This highlights the importance of considering specific social consequences in behavioral interventions.