Changing Problem Behavior: A Systematic & Comprehensive Approach to Behavior Change Project Management
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Changing Problem Behavior is a manual for managing behavior change projects from the functional assessment of problem behaviors, through constructing and implementing a behavior change program and transitioning to the ongoing maintenance of the changes. It utilizes a behavior analytic approach with a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement based methods and avoidance of aversive methods. It presents a systematic and natural science based approach to managing problem behavior cases for professional animal behavior technologists. The strategies and procedures are applicable to all species.
CONTENTS
Introduction........... 5
Managing behavior change projects........... 5
Theoretical orientation........... 5
Chapter 1: Review of the basic principles of behavior........... 8
Introduction........... 8
Behavior and its cause........... 8
Operant conditioning........... 10
Contingencies..... 10
Law of effect..... 12
Contingencies of reinforcement..... 16
Positive reinforcement................. 16
Negative reinforcement................. 16
Contingencies of punishment..... 16
Positive punishment................. 17
Negative punishment................. 17
Contingencies of extinction..... 17
Variables influencing effectiveness of reinforcement..... 18
Contingency................. 18
Contiguity................. 18
Reinforcer characteristics................. 18
Concurrent contingencies................. 19
Motivating operations................. 19
Schedules of positive reinforcement..... 19
Continuous reinforcement................. 19
Intermittent reinforcement................. 19
Fixed and variable ratio schedules of reinforcement........... 20
Fixed and variable interval schedules of reinforcement........... 20
Fixed and variable duration schedules of reinforcement........... 20
Problematic features of using aversive stimulation..... 20
Punishment................. 21
Aversive stimulation and its side effects................. 22
Problematic emotional arousal and conditioning........... 23
Escape behaviors........... 23
General response depression and inhibition........... 24
Respondent conditioning........... 24
Chapter 2: Functional Assessment........... 27
Introduction........... 27
Explanatory fictions........... 27
Ethical considerations in assessment........... 28
Introduction to the three stages of a functional assessment........... 29
Contingencies and contingency statements........... 31
The contingency statement..... 31
Antecedent–behavior contingency..... 32
Behavior–consequence contingency..... 38
Functional assessment stages........... 39
Informant interview..... 39
Direct observation..... 43
Quantifying behavior................. 46
Why track the behavior?........... 46
What behavior to track?—The behavior of concern........... 46
What property of the behavior to measure?........... 47
Establishing a baseline........... 50
Graphing the behavior........... 51
Functional analysis..... 57
Reversal design................. 59
Alternating treatment design................. 62
Functional analysis of antecedent–behavior contingency................. 63
Functional analysis of behavior–consequence contingency................. 64
Guidelines for performing a functional analysis................. 65
Endogenous and exogenous reinforcement........... 66
Final note on functional analysis........... 67
Summary........... 68
Chapter 3: Intervention........... 71
Introduction........... 71
General characteristics of behavior change programs........... 72
Behavior change programs describe our behavior..... 72
Behavior change programs are derived from functional assessment..... 72
Behavior change programs are consistent with the principles of behavior..... 73
Behavior change programs are flexible and realistic..... 73
General principles for effective behavior change programs........... 73
Make the behavior irrelevant..... 73
Make the behavior inefficient..... 74
Make the behavior ineffective..... 74
Constructional versus eliminative strategies........... 75
Ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, and their implications for use of invasive procedures........... 75
Least intrusive effective behavior intervention model........... 76
Strategy in constructing behavior change programs........... 83
Determining quantifiable behavior objectives and tracking behavior........... 86
Failure to trend toward objectives..... 90
Summary..... 91
Antecedent control procedures........... 91
Discriminative stimulus control..... 92
Antecedent control of function-altering stimuli..... 93
Emotional arousal and behavior change procedures..... 95
Respondent conditioning–based principles and techniques..... 96
Habituation................. 97
Respondent extinction................. 97
Counterconditioning................. 98
Systematic desensitization................. 98
Relaxation........... 102
Hierarchy of stimulus intensity........... 102
Graded exposure........... 103
Postcedent control procedures........... 106
Differential reinforcement..... 109
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior................. 109
Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior................. 110
Differential reinforcement of other behavior................. 110
Differential reinforcement of low rate behavior................. 111
Choosing between DRI, DRA and DRO................. 111
Shaping: differential reinforcement of successive approximations to a terminal behavior................. 111
Shaping procedure........... 114
Determine form of terminal target behavior........... 115
Determine conditioned and unconditioned reinforcers........... 115
Determine approximations........... 115
Implement shaping program........... 116
When target behavior is achieved, establish a cue........... 117
Maintenance........... 117
Shaping tips........... 118
Differential reinforcement with emphasized extinction trials................. 119
Positive reinforcement and negative punishment (time-out from positive reinforcement)..... 120
Graded negative reinforcement..... 121
Positive reinforcement and positive punishment................. 124
Combined respondent and operant protocols..... 124
Producing a behavior change program document........... 125
Chapter 4: Maintenance........... 127
Working toward maintenance........... 127
Generalization..... 127
Discrimination, and transferring stimulus control to a more “natural” set of controls..... 128
Thinning the schedule of reinforcement and allowing for more natural reinforcers..... 129
Monitoring and re-intervening when necessary..... 130
Summary........... 130
Appendix 1. Behavior Change Project Management Steps........... 131
Resources........... 133
References........... 135
Index........... 139
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