Recent developments and future directions for competing stimulus assessments

Competing stimulus assessments (CSAs) are designed to identify stimuli that reduce challenging behavior through reinforcer competition or substitution. Haddock and Hagopian (2020) found that CSAs demonstrate utility across functions and topographies of challenging behavior. Stimuli identified by CSAs often performed similarly in validation tests. Since that review, augmented CSA (A-CSA) procedures have demonstrated efficacy in identifying greater numbers of competing stimuli compared with free-access tests. Given these rapid advancements, another review appears warranted. The current review analyzed individual participant data to measure the prevalence, procedural characteristics, efficacy, and predictive validity of CSAs and A-CSAs across functions and use of high-competition stimuli in treatment packages. Approximately one third of applications used augmented procedures. Applications for socially reinforced behavior and subsequent treatment evaluations appear to be increasing. The efficacy of A-CSAs for automatically maintained behavior suggests that augmentations for socially reinforced behavior may prove fruitful. Future directions for CSA research are discussed.