Psychology Module 6A-6E Flashcards

Aberrant Behavior

• Aberrant behavior refers to actions that may cause harm to oneself or others.
• Up to 50% of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) engage in self-injurious behavior.

Stereotypic Behavior

• Stereotypic behavior can interfere with the learning process.

Definitions

• Operational Definition: A clear, observable description of behavior.
• Functional Definition: An outline of environmental changes related to the behavior.

Importance of Definitions

• Operational definitions enhance the accuracy of data collection and behavior scoring.

Functions of Behavior

• Common functions identified in functional analysis include:
  • Access to attention
  • Access to tangibles
  • Escape
  • Automatic reinforcement
• Another potential behavioral function is control.

Behavioral Assessment Methods

• Indirect measures of aberrant behavior are referred to as second hand observation.
• Collecting A-B-C (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) data is known as first hand observation.

Purpose of Functional Behavior Assessment

• The main objective is to identify the function behind the behavior.

Active Listening Components

• Active listening consists of three components: what we do, what we say, and what we observe.

Indirect Observation Techniques

• The indirect method "Laundry list" involves questions like, "Was he screaming, hitting, or throwing objects?"

Direct Observation Steps

• The second step of direct observation involves accurately describing the behavior observed.

Functional Analysis Efficacy

• Functional analysis is viewed as the most precise method for determining the function of a behavior.
• Most studies indicate that functional analysis can lead to successful treatment interventions.

Conditions in Functional Analysis

• Attention condition: A learner receiving high fives as a reward for aberrant behavior.
• Tangible condition: A learner receiving a toy for displaying aberrant behavior.
• Escape condition: A learner being given a break from demands as a consequence for aberrant behavior.

Limitations of Functional Analysis

• A concern with standard functional analyses is their lack of occurrence in natural settings.

Proactive Strategies

• A progressive approach to managing problem behaviors recommends proactively teaching necessary skills to handle the conditions typically encountered in functional analyses.