title: Functional analysis and treatment of inappropriate verbal behavior.
abstract: The present study examined the possible function of inappropriate verbal behavior of an adult man who had been diagnosed with both mental retardation and psychosis. Results of a functional analysis indicated that inappropriate verbal utterances were maintained by attention. An intervention consisting of the differential reinforcement of appropriate verbal behavior effectively reduced the inappropriate behavior.
authors.affiliation: Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901, USA. mdixon@siu.edu
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benedict
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014705:Verbal Behavior