title: Leisure items as controls in the attention condition of functional analyses.
abstract: Leisure items (e.g., games, toys) are commonly made available as controls during attention conditions of functional analyses (Ringdahl, Winborn, Andelman, & Kitsukawa, 2002). However, Ringdahl et al. raised questions about this practice. This paper reviews research that supports and conflicts with the inclusion of leisure items as controls, including a quantitative analysis of relevant articles published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis over a 10-year period. Data reviewed suggest that practitioners may consider omitting leisure items as controls or including such items strategically based on the accumulation of assessment information.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, USA. bmccord@midsouth.rr.com
authors.forename: Brandon E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: McCord
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Neef
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D001332:Automatism; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology