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The functions of self-injurious behavior: an experimental-epidemiological analysis
B A Iwata1, G M Pace, M F Dorsey
1Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Functional analysis effectively identifies the causes of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in individuals with developmental disabilities. This method guides treatment selection by revealing environmental factors influencing SIB.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Developmental disabilities research
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a significant concern for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Understanding the function of SIB is critical for effective intervention.
- Previous research has explored various factors contributing to SIB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize data from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of SIB.
- To identify the most common environmental determinants of SIB.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of functional analysis in guiding treatment selection.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 152 single-subject functional analyses over 11 years.
- Collected data across approximately 4,000 experimental sessions (1,000 hours).
- Systematically examined antecedent and consequent events using multielement, reversal, or combined designs.
Main Results:
- Identified reinforcing functions for SIB in 95.4% of cases.
- Social-negative reinforcement (escape) was the most common function (38.1%).
- Social-positive reinforcement (26.3%) and automatic reinforcement (25.7%) were also significant functions.
Conclusions:
- Functional analysis is highly effective in identifying individual SIB determinants.
- This methodology effectively guides the selection of appropriate treatment strategies.
- Aggregated data from functional analyses offer a robust approach to studying SIB epidemiology.