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Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
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A Clinical Tutorial on Using a Concurrent Operant Analysis in the Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior.

Kayla R Randall1, Michael P Kranak2,3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University-Armstrong.

Behavior Analysis in Practice
|June 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A concurrent operant analysis (COA) offers a practical alternative to functional analysis (FA) for assessing problem behavior when FA is not feasible. This method uses direct observation and manipulation to supplement functional behavior assessments (FBA).

Keywords:
choiceconcurrent operant analysisproblem behaviorreinforcement-based intervention

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Science
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

  • Functional Analysis (FA) is a cornerstone for assessing problem behavior, but limitations exist.
  • Situations arise where FA is not feasible or yields inconclusive results.
  • Alternative assessment methods are needed to supplement traditional Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • Introduce Concurrent Operant Analysis (COA) as a viable alternative/supplement to FA.
  • Provide a step-by-step guide for implementing COA in clinical practice.
  • Highlight the benefits of COA over traditional FA in specific scenarios.

Main Methods:

  • Direct observation and experimental manipulations form the core of COA.
  • COA involves systematic assessment of behavior under varying conditions.
  • This tutorial uses hypothetical examples to illustrate COA procedures.

Main Results:

  • COA provides a feasible, acceptable, safe, and ecologically valid assessment.
  • COA can yield undifferentiated results when FA is not ideal or possible.
  • COA may avoid drawbacks associated with FA, such as evoking problem behavior.

Conclusions:

  • COA is a valuable tool for supplementing FBA when FA is not suitable.
  • Further research and clinical application of COA are encouraged.
  • This tutorial aims to facilitate the adoption of COA in practice.