Precursor behavior and functional analysis: A brief review. Issue 3 (3rd May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heath, Hayden; Smith, Richard G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied behavior analysis. Volume 52:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 804
• Page End: 810
• Publication Date: 2019-05-03
• Subjects: conditional probabilities -- functional analysis -- precursor assessment -- precursor behaviors -- precursor functional analysis -- response chain -- response class; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Social Behavior -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1002/jaba.571
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8855

Abstract

Abstract : Researchers have developed precursor functional analyses to provide an alternative, and presumably safer, format for functional analysis of severe problem behavior. When researchers use functional analysis contingencies for precursor behaviors, it is possible to infer functional characteristics about severe problem behaviors based on patterns of less severe precursor behaviors, permitting practitioners to complete the assessment with less risk to clients, practitioners, or others. The current paper discusses recent advances in the development and validation of precursor identification, and offers suggestions and future directions for investigating and implementing precursor functional analyses. We propose a decision‐making model, in which practitioners integrate procedures to identify precursors into the functional‐analysis process, to expedite the analysis of severe problem behaviors.