Emerging themes in the functional analysis of problem behavior

Abstract

The functional control of problem behavior is generally conceptualized as involving attention, escape, sensory reinforcement, and tangible factors. Our analytic tools have now reached a level of sophistication that makes possible consideration of several new, emerging themes in the area of functional analysis. First, we need to examine other functional properties of problem behavior involving social avoidance, biological reinforcement, and respondent conditioning factors. Second, we need to explore the role of context, including social factors such as group interactions, sequencing of tasks and activities, presence or absence of specific individuals, and crowding; as well as biological factors, such as physical illness, exercise, and drugs. Finally, we must consider the multidimensional character of assessment in naturalistic settings and the practical need for developing descriptive analytic procedures that complement and produce results that are congruent with those obtained from traditional functional analyses.