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Escape as a factor in the aggressive behavior of two retarded children

E G Carr, C D Newsom, J A Binkoff

    Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
    |January 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    Severely aggressive behavior in children can be an escape response. This escape-motivated aggression is controllable by using preferred reinforcers, strengthening alternative nonaggressive behaviors, or escape extinction procedures.

    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral Psychology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Clinical Psychology

    Background:

    • Severely aggressive behavior in children presents significant challenges.
    • Understanding the controlling variables of aggression is crucial for effective intervention.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify variables controlling severely aggressive behavior in two children.
    • To investigate the function of aggression as an escape response.

    Main Methods:

    • Experimental manipulation of demand and non-demand situations.
    • Introduction of stimuli correlated with demand termination.
    • Contingent reinforcement of correct responding and nonaggressive behavior.
    • Manipulation of escape opportunities following aggressive and nonaggressive responses.

    Main Results:

    • Aggression was high in demand situations and low in non-demand situations.
    • Aggression decreased significantly when escape from demands was possible or reinforced.
    • Aggression increased when escape was permitted following aggressive behavior.
    • Aggression was controlled by manipulating escape variables.

    Conclusions:

    • Aggression can function as an escape response.
    • Escape-motivated aggression is controllable through environmental modifications.
    • Interventions include using preferred reinforcers, strengthening alternative escape behaviors, and escape extinction.

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