A common finding in previous research is that problem behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement continues to occur in the alone condition of a functional analysis (FA), whereas behavior maintained by social reinforcement typically is extinguished. Thus, the alone condition may represent an efficient screening procedure when maintenance by automatic reinforcement is suspected. We conducted a series of 5-min alone (or no-interaction) probes for 30 cases of problem behavior and compared initial predictions of maintenance or extinction to outcomes obtained in subsequent FAs. Results indicated that data from the screening procedure accurately predicted that problem behavior was maintained by automatic reinforcement in 21 of 22 cases and by social reinforcement in 7 of 8 cases. Thus, results of the screening accurately predicted the function of problem behavior (social vs. automatic reinforcement) in 28 of 30 cases.

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Clinicians needs to be cognizant of the greater risk of ADHD symptoms when working with problem gamblers and vice versa.

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Purpose To summarize the literature on and clarify the magnitude of the association between conduct disorder/oppositional defiant disorder (CD/ODD) and attachment and to search for moderators of this relationship. Methods A meta-analysis was conducted in order to elucidate the potential relationship between attachment style and CD/ODD symptoms and to establish the size of the effect. An extensive literature search was conducted through multiple databases for published and unpublished works. Results The main finding from this study indicated that there is a moderate relationship between CD/ODD symptoms and attachment insecurity. The standardized mean difference in attachment insecurity between individuals with and without CD/ODD was large. There was a strong relationship between CD/ODD symptoms and disorganized J Dev Life Course Criminology (2016) 2:232-255