Unit 7 Flashcards
what type of experimental design is typically used while conducting a functional analysis?
multielement (alternating treatments)
How is a functional relation identified in a functional analysis?
by observing differential responding in one or more of the functional analysis conditions
How are the conclusions from extended session length FAs verified?
using treatment evaluations
What are some potential limitations of conducting extended session lengths?
long periods of deprivation could be seen as unethical
requires intensive levels of behavioral support
What is the most effective way to determine the length of sessions in an extended session functional analysis?
observe bx for long periods of time to identify intervals that would lead to representative measures.
when using pairwise comparisons in a low-rate FA, how are the conditions compared?
each condition is compared with the control condition
what are some limitations of using probes to conduct an FA?
carry over effects
staff need to be ready at any time
when problem bx occurs at such low rates that is would be difficult to observe its occurrence during a standard functional analysis, what are variations that have been effective in identifying functional relations?
extended session length
low-rate FA (using probes)
how can functional analysis conditions be modified to minimize the risks involved in the assessment of severe problem behavior?
use protective equipment
What are possible effects that might limit the conclusions derived from a functional analysis in which protective equipment is used?
ablative effects, punishment effects, sensory extinction effects
a time-limited functional analysis involves
fewer sessions
shorter sessions
a limitation of time-limited assessments is that the results obtained might not be as valid as the results of a typical functional analysis? T/F
True
when using latency as a response measure in their functional analysis, Thomason et al. terminated sessions…
after five minutes
or
after the first occurrence of problem bx
one of the advantages of measuring latency in a functional analysis involving high-risk bx is that…
fewer responses are necessary
Regarding the measurement of precursors on a functional analysis, the following are true…
high correspondence with functional analyses in which severe problem bx is measured
lower levels of severe problem bx are observed
what is an empirical way to identify precursors for problem bx?
conduct a lag-sequential analysis
estimate conditional probabilities
estimate unconditional probabilities
a bx is a reliable precursor to a target bx if…
conditional probabilities are higher than unconditional probabilities
the problem with combining topographies in a functional analysis is that…
different functions can be masked when data are aggregated
according Dr. DeLeon’s presentation, individuals with autism are …
more likely to exhibit bx maintained by tangible reinforcement
According to Dr. DeLeon’s presentation on “Person Variables and Behavioral Function”, the more severe the cognitive and language impairment, the higher the prevalence of behavior maintained by:
automatic reinforcement
stimulant medication can have the following function
motivating operations
drugs can have different effects on behavioral functions and topographies. T/F?
True!
An analysis of the purposes (functions) of problem behavior, wherein antecedents and consequences representing those in the person’s natural routines are arranged within an experimental design so that their separate effects on problem behavior can be observed and measured.
Functional Analysis (FA)
possible causes of undifferentiated functional analysis results
- Difficulties in discrimination
- Relevant variables not tested
- Multiple control
- Low rates of behavior
strategies for clarifying functional analysis results
- Enhance motivation
- Add discriminative stimuli
- Vary the control condition
problems with standard functional analysis in the assessment of low-rate problem bx
- Behavior may occur infrequently, producing undifferentiated FA results
- Behavior may occur infrequently, producing differentiated but inconclusive results
strategies for conducting functional analyses of low-rate problem bx
• Extended session length
• Probes conducted at times when behavior is at
high strength
