THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF PROBLEM BEHAVIOR
David L. Lee, PhD, BCBA-DThe Pennsylvania State University
So… Who are these kids?
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One Size Fits All
Mike and Pete both engage in aggressive acts when asked to complete an assignment. Ms. Jones has decided to implement a behavior plan to decrease the aggression of both students. The behavior plan entails giving the students time-out. Ms. Jones has collected the following data on aggressive behavior during the time-out intervention:
Time Out Intervention Data
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Pete
Mike
Pete
What is a Functional Assessment? Process for gathering information
Assumptions:
Behavior is setting specific
Behavior serves a purpose (Function - obtain, escape)
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Traditional ABC Model
Antecedent
• 4+4• Teacher
gives assignment
Behavior
• Write 8• Student
punches Bob
Consequence
• Nice work!
• Time out!
So, How Does This Work?
Descriptive Phase:
Interview, checklist, ABC recording
Goals
Experimental Phase: Design method to reliably evoke problem
behavior
Examples next
Escape Function
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10
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AttentionEscapeAloneTangible
Session
Perc
ent
of
Inte
rvals
Attention Function
1 2 3 4 50
10
20
30
40
50
60
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80
90
AttentionEscapeAloneTangible
Session
Perc
ent
of
Inte
rvals
Intervention
Teach a more efficient way to acquire reinforcer.
Reinforce desired behavior.
Withhold reinforcement for inappropriate behavior.
Why FBA?
Potential for best practice
IDEA
Research base
Potential Issues with FBA with EBD Initial research base
Proximal and distal stimuli
No detail about socially-mediated reinforcers
Does not account for variables that could affect persistence of behavior
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An Expanded Model
Social
and Motivating Operations
A B C
Social Functions of Problem Behavior
Social Interchanges Defined
Reciprocity
Complementarity
Traditional FBA
Expanded Model
Social Functions of Problem Behavior
Social Network Membership Defined
How developed (sorting)
Helpful pieces of information
Traditional FBA
Expanded Model
Social Functions of Problem Behavior
Social Roles and Reputations Defined
Traditional FBA
Expanded Model
Social Functions of Problem Behavior
Inclusionary / Exclusionary Processes
Defined
Traditional FBA
Expanded Model
Why an Expanded Model?
Enhanced clarity of context.
Allows for interventions that:
Account for proximal & distal
Leverage social functions
Teach relevant social skills
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