Unit 7

Question 1

Functional analysis (FA)

Answer 1

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.
-May be necessary for some functions, but not always sufficient

Question 2

Possible causes of undifferentiated functional

analysis results

Answer 2

• Difficulties in discrimination
• Relevant variables not tested
• Multiple control
• Low rates of behavior

Question 3

Strategies for clarifying functional analysis

results

Answer 3

• Enhance motivation
• Add discriminative stimuli
• Vary the control condition

Question 4

Problems with standard functional analysis in

the assessment of low-rate problem behavior

Answer 4

• Behavior may occur infrequently, producing
undifferentiated FA results
• Behavior may occur infrequently, producing
differentiated by inconclusive results

Question 5

Strategies for conducting functional analyses

of low-rate problem behavior

Answer 5

• Extended session length
• Probes conducted at times when behavior is at
high strength

Question 6

Concerns with standard functional analysis in

the assessment of high-risk problem behavior

Answer 6

• Problem behavior must occur to measure
patterns of behavior, putting the participant
and/or therapists at risks of harm
• Potentially reinforcing events are provided
contingent on problem behavior

Question 7

Methods of reducing risks during functional

analysis

Answer 7

• Time-limited assessments
• Use of protective equipment
• Alternative response measures

Question 8

Precursor behavior

Answer 8

“Behavior that reliably precede the occurrence of

another behavior”

Question 9

How to calculate conditional probabilities of

precursor behavior

Answer 9

Divide the number of times precursor behavior occur

within 10-s before a problem behavior by the number of precursor behaviors overall

Question 10

Lag-sequential analysis

Answer 10

Used to assess the probability of precursors at any
moment in time (every second) before and after an
instance of problem behavior

Question 11

Borrero & Borrero (2008)- high risk & lag sequential analysis

Answer 11

Results of the descriptive analysis showed that the probability of the potential precursor was greater given problem behavior compared to the unconditional probability of the potential
precursor. Results of the lag-sequential analyses showed a marked increase in the probability of a potential precursor in the 1-s intervals immediately preceding an instance of problem behavior, and that the probability of problem behavior has highest in the 1-s intervals immediately following an instance of the precursor. Results of the functional analysis showed that both problem behavior and the precursor served the same operant functions.

Question 12

Crosland et al. (2003)

Answer 12

Results showed that Risperidone had a differential
effect across behavioral function and topography.
Mechanisms underlying effectiveness of Risperidone may differ across behavioral functions and topographies

Question 13

Implications of functional analysis of early

intervention

Answer 13

• Results suggest operant processes play an
important role in early development of SIB and
problem behavior.
• Early identification/intervention critical, before
lengthy history of reinforcement is established.
• Inclusion of caregivers as therapist may have
advantages as they provide strong environmental
influence on early behavior

Question 14

Richman et al. (1999)

Answer 14

Indicated that different response categories may form a response class hierarchy. When different responses are simultaneously reinforced in a functional analysis, more severe forms of aberrant behavior may not occur, thus limiting the ability to clearly analyze behavioral functions.

Question 15

Problems with combining different
topographies within a single response
category in a functional analysis

Answer 15

• Can result in functional analysis outcomes that
are inconclusive or undifferentiated
• Erroneous or incomplete interpretation of
functional analysis outcomes may result in
evaluation of interventions that are ineffective or
even harmful

Question 16

Inconclusive or undifferentiated functional

analysis outcomes may occur when:

Answer 16

• Multiple topographies controlled by different
reinforcers, but data evaluated in aggregate
fashion.
• One or more of target behaviors maintained by
automatic reinforcement
• Target behaviors represent a response class
hierarchy and functional analysis contingencies are
provided for all topographies or aberrant
behavior

Question 17

Iwata et al. (2000)

Answer 17

Results showed that participants scored a relatively
high percentage of correct therapist responses during baseline, and that all achieved an accuracy level of 95% of higher following training that lasted about 2 hr. These results suggest that basic skills for conducting functional analyses can be acquired
quickly by individuals who have relative little clinical
experience.

Question 18

Kurtz et al. (2003)

Answer 18

undifferentiated results for SIB in very young children

Question 19

Smith & Churchill (2002)- high risk behavior & precursors

Answer 19

Results showed that when contingencies placed on target behavior, precursors reliably occurred at high levels in same condition. When contingencies placed on precursors,

1) similar outcomes for precursors,
and 2) target behavior notably lower

Question 20

Kahng, Abt, and Schonbachler (2001)- low rate bx and extended FA sessions

Answer 20

Functional analysis of low-rate aggression was
conducted during extended observation periods and
showed behavior to be maintained by positive
reinforcement. Treatment consisted of variable momentary differential reinforcement of other
behavior and was successful in reducing problem
behavior throughout these extended observation
periods.
-10 min to 7 hours

Question 21

Tarbox et al. (2004)- low rate behaviors and “drop everything” meyhod

Answer 21

• Standard FA yielded inconclusive results across
participants
• Differentiated results obtained during low-rate FA
-Condition initiated upon an occurrence of problem bx

Question 22

Thompson et al. (1998)

Answer 22

Results showed that aggregate functional analysis of aggression resulted in inconclusive results. Results of a second functional analysis for different topographies confirmed that chin grinding maintained by automatic reinforcement and other aggression maintained by attention.
It demonstrated that different topographies within a
single response category can be members of separate operant classes.

Question 23

Najdowski et al. (2008)- high risk bxs and precursors

Answer 23

Results showed that none of the participants engaged in problem behaviors during their FAs when contingencies were placed on precursors
(differentiated results were obtained for all
participants). Treatments were found to eliminate
precursor behavior, possibly prevented occurrences
of severe problem behavior.
Did not systematically id precursors

Question 24

Derby et al. (1994)- combined vs. separate topographies

Answer 24

Results showed that evaluating FA results when topographies are combined or separated suggest that different response categories belonging to different operant classes may be obscured by aggregate examination of functional assessment data.

Question 25

Extinction analysis

Answer 25

Procedure that can be conducted when more severe forms of problem behavior do not occur during a functional analysis

Question 26

Richmond et al. (1999)- response class hierarchy

Answer 26

Results indicated that a clear analysis of behavior function may be limited when different responses are simultaneously reinforced in a functional analysis because more severe forms of aberrant behavior may not occur.

Question 27

Wacker et al (1998)

Reeve and Carr (2000)

Answer 27

Suggested that the use of functional analyses may be applicable to very young children with early onset SIB

Question 28

The pharmacological basis for drug selection

Answer 28

Typically based on topographical features of problem behavior

Question 29

Borrero et al. (2002)

Answer 29

Results revealed that the use of protective equipment during functional analysis of SIB suppressed levels of responding such that a behavioral function could not be identified

Question 30

Advantages of combining functional analysis

methods with drugs trials

Answer 30

• More clearly determine if results of a functional
analysis serve as useful predictors of drug
response
• Provide indications of when treatment with
certain drugs is contraindicated
• Provide insight into the interaction of drug
treatment and learned functions

Question 31

Areas related to conducting functional

analysis that require training

Answer 31

• Make professional judgments related to date
interpretation
• Make modification of assessment conditions to
identify idiosyncratic maintaining variables
• Assess risk management
• Deliver a prescribed sequence of antecedent and
consequent events while interacting with a client

Question 32

Thomason, et. al (in press)

Answer 32

FA for high risk bx- two independent FAs, with same contingencies, but one looked at latency measures.