The Significance and Future of Functional Analysis Methodologies

Mace, F. Charles

doi:10.1901/jaba.1994.27-385

Cited by 174 publications

(126 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…The purpose of a functional analysis (FA; Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982 is to identify variables that evoke and maintain instances of problem behavior. With the advent of the FA, numerous treatment options are available when treatment and operant function are matched (Mace, 1994). Although FAs often produce clear outcomes, some studies have reported ambiguous results that cannot be interpreted.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Advance Notice on Problem Behavior Occasioned by Interruptions of an Ongoing Activity in a Young Girl with Autism

Vasquez

Brewer

Leon

et al. 2017

Behav Analysis Practice

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The current study describes a trial-based functional analysis of problem behavior conducted in a home setting for a 7-year-old girl with autism. Problem behavior was occasioned by interruptions to an ongoing activity. Advance notice, in the form of a 2-min warning, and the sound of a timer were used to signal termination of a current activity and were effective at reducing problem behavior along with increasing compliance to the interruptive demands. A trial-based functional analysis, which are not common in the applied literature, was conducted in a home setting for young girl with autism, using antecedent and consequence modifications described by Hagopian, Bruzek, Bowman, and Jennett (2007), identified the variables that occasioned and maintained problem behavior were interruptions to an ongoing activity followed by regaining uninterrupted access to the previous activity. Mixed findings have been reported regarding the effectiveness of advance notice for decreasing problem behavior. Results of the current study show that an advance notice treatment package was effective for a child with autism; no escape extinction was necessary. Interruptions are part of everyday life and tolerating these changes is critical for habilitation for individuals with autism.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Advance Notice on Problem Behavior Occasioned by Interruptions of an Ongoing Activity in a Young Girl with Autism

Vasquez

Brewer

Leon

et al. 2017

Behav Analysis Practice

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“…The most precise form of functional behavior assessment is a functional analysis, which involves direct observation of problem behavior and systematic manipulation of its antecedents and consequences. The functional analysis is often considered the "gold standard" of functional behavior assessment because it is the only form of assessment that verifies the function of problem behavior (Bijou, Peterson, & Ault, 1968;Lennox & Miltenberger, 1989;Mace, 1994). However, the time, effort, and professional expertise required to conduct and interpret functional analyses are often cited as problems with the approach, limiting the widespread use of functional analysis by school personnel and other practitioners (cf., Spreat & Connelly, 1996).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Teleconsultation in School Settings: Linking Classroom Teachers and Behavior Analysts Through Web-Based Technology

Frieder

Peterson

Woodward³

et al. 2009

Behav Analysis Practice

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This paper describes a technically driven, collaborative approach to assessing the function of problem behavior using web-based technology. A case example is provided to illustrate the process used in this pilot project. A school team conducted a functional analysis with a child who demonstrated challenging behaviors in a preschool setting. Behavior analysts at a university setting provided the school team with initial workshop trainings, on-site visits, e-mail and phone communication, as well as live web-based feedback on functional analysis sessions. The school personnel implemented the functional analysis with high fidelity and scored the data reliably. Outcomes of the project suggest that there is great potential for collaboration via the use of web-based technologies for ongoing assessment and development of effective interventions. However, an empirical evaluation of this model should be conducted before wide-scale adoption is recommended. Keywords: Consultation, functional analysis, staff training, teleconsultation ABSTRACT T

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“…Behavior modification was an early approach that emphasized how powerful reinforcement and punishment contingencies can change behavior regardless of its causes. Applied behavior analysis was an approach that emphasized the analysis of functional relations between behavior and its causes (Mace, 1994). In the years between the late 1970s and early 1980s, a series of position papers advocated more analytic research (Birnbrauer, 1979;Michael, 1980;Pierce & Epling, 1980;Ribes, 1977).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, in 1982, Iwata et al (1982 produced the first comprehensive and standardized model for conducting functional analyses. Previous theoretical papers such as that by Carr (1977), and research methods such as those proposed by Bijou, Peterson, and Ault (1968) and by Thomas, Becker, and Armstrong (1968) culminated in the Iwata et al paper (Mace, 1994) which described an operant methodology to assess functional relationships between self-injury and specific environmental events. They observed the SIB of 9 individuals with developmental disabilities during periods of brief, repeated exposure to a series of analogue conditions.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Functional Analysis Methodology on Treatment Choice for Self‐injurious and Aggressive Behavior

Pelios

Morren

Tesch

et al. 1999

J of App Behav Analysis

142

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Self-injurious behavior (SIB) and aggression have been the concern of researchers because of the serious impact these behaviors have on individuals' lives. Despite the plethora of research on the treatment of SIB and aggressive behavior, the reported findings have been inconsistent regarding the effectiveness of reinforcement-based versus punishment-based procedures. We conducted a literature review to determine whether a trend could be detected in researchers' selection of reinforcement-based procedures versus punishmentbased procedures, particularly since the introduction of functional analysis to behavioral assessment. The data are consistent with predictions made in the past regarding the potential impact of functional analysis methodology. Specifically, the findings indicate that, once maintaining variables for problem behavior are identified, experimenters tend to choose reinforcement-based procedures rather than punishment-based procedures as treatment for both SIB and aggressive behavior. Results indicated an increased interest in studies on the treatment of SIB and aggressive behavior, particularly since 1988.

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The Significance and Future of Functional Analysis Methodologies

Cited by 174 publications

References 64 publications

The Effects of Advance Notice on Problem Behavior Occasioned by Interruptions of an Ongoing Activity in a Young Girl with Autism

The Effects of Advance Notice on Problem Behavior Occasioned by Interruptions of an Ongoing Activity in a Young Girl with Autism

Teleconsultation in School Settings: Linking Classroom Teachers and Behavior Analysts Through Web-Based Technology

The Impact of Functional Analysis Methodology on Treatment Choice for Self‐injurious and Aggressive Behavior

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