Covariation between bizarre and nonbizarre speech as a function of the content of verbal attention.
A functional analysis suggested that the bizarre speech of an individual with developmental disabilities was maintained by attention. The content of verbal attention was manipulated in two subsequent analyses and revealed that (a) bizarre speech was more frequent when attention was related to the participant's bizarre speech and (b) the participant's statements tended to reflect the content of the therapist's attention, whether bizarre or nonbizarre.
Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. deleon@kennedykrieger.org
Iser G
IG
DeLeon
Kristie L
KL
Arnold
Vanessa
V
Rodriguez-Catter
Michelle L
ML
Uy
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012056:Reinforcement, Social; D012919:Social Behavior; D014705:Verbal Behavior