Unit 2 Flashcards
Skinner on. Functional Analysis
- The external variables of which Bx is a function provide for what maybe called a casual/ functional analysis
- The relation btw bx & the Env provide “a comprehensive pic of the organism as a Behaving system”
Functional Analysis
- Process of identifying Environmental events that are Functionally related to Bx by systematically manipulating environmental variables
- AKA experimental assessment
Functional Analysis (con…t)
- Assessment in which:
- Antecedents &/or consequences are experimentally manipulated
- Bx is measured under these different conditions
- Functional relations are identified through this systematic manipulation
- Can take many different forms
Functional Analysis Purpose
- Identify Functional relations btw Bx & the Env
- Identify maintaining variables for Bx
Functional Analysis Assumptions
- Problem Bx is:
- Learned
- A function of environmental contingencies
Learned Functions of Bx
- Positive reinforcement
- Socially mediated
- Automatic
- Negative reinforcement
- Socially mediated
- Automatic
Functional Analysis Characteristics
- Direct observation
- Manipulation of antecedent & consequent conditions
- Measurement of Bx under test & control conditions
Functional Analysis E.g.
*Is Bx (screaming) maintained by socially mediated positive Rx in the form attention (reprimands) ?
-Condition A (test):
Scream - attention (reprimand)
-Condition B (Control):
-Scream - No attention
*Higher levels of Bx in test when compared to control suggests attention may be a reinforcer for this bx
Functional Analysis as a Process
- Functional analysis, also known as experimental assessment is NOT a prescribed set of procedures!
- It is a process of identifying independent variables that are Functionally related to Bx
———–reinforcement results from the addition of a(n)———– stimulus after the behavior.
- Positive
2. Appetitive (Aversive)
Lovass et al. (1965)
- Investigated social positive Rx (attention) on self-injurious Bx (SIB)
- Results: Rates of SIB increased when contingent attention was provided for Behavior
- Function of SIB: Socially mediated positive reinforcement
Carr et al. (1976, 1980)
- Functional analysis of antecedents
- DVs: SIB & GGRESSION
- IV: Antecedent demand Vs. no demand
- No programmed consequences following Behavior
Carr et al. (1976, 1980): Results
- SIB & aggression higher in demand condition
- Suggests prob Bx maintained by social negative Rx (escape from demand)
- Not confirmed cuz consequences not manipulated
Berkson and Mason (1963, 1964)
- DV: Stereotypy
- IV: Enriched (Activities present) Vs. impoverished (no activities present) env
- Results: Stereotypy higher in impoverished env
Early Studies: Common Ground
- Evaluated function through systematic manipulations
- Demonstrated control by a single contingency
- Took a Functional approach to the evaluation of problem Bx
A-B Functional Analysis
*Functional analysis in which one the antecedents to Bx are manipulated
A-B Functional Analysis Goal
-Identify antecedent conditions to Bx
A-B Fun tonal Analysis Model Development
Carr & Durand (1985)
- Manipulate antecedents only
- No programmed consequences for problem bx
A-B Functional Analysis Conditions
- Test condition= Condition in which the specific EO for an individual Reinforcer is present
- Control condition = Condition in which the specific Eos for tested reinforcers are absent
- Responding in test conditions is compared to responding in control
Remember
- Functional analysis is a process, NOT 1 specific set of procedures
- However, the term “Functional analysis” is often associated with a procedure first described by Iwata et al.
Analog Functional Analysis (FA)
- Assessment in which antecedents & consequences consistent with the 4 main functions of Bx are manipulated systematically in different conditions & the effect on Bx is measured
- AKA “Standard” functional analysis
Analog Functional Analysis (Con..t)
*Iwata et al. (1982/ 94) Created the general model for concurrently assessing sensitivity to different contingencies
Analog Functional Analysis Purpose
*To identify functional relations btw Bx & the Environment
Functional Analysis: When to Use
- When descriptive assessment does not yield enough info to form reasonable hypotheses
- When intervention based on descriptive assessment is not producing the desired change
- When much time & many resources will go into training staff on the intervention procedures