title: Functional analysis and treatment of aggression maintained by preferred conversational topics.
abstract: After an initial functional analysis of a participant's aggression showed unclear outcomes, we conducted preference and reinforcer assessments to identify preferred forms of attention that may maintain problem behavior. Next, we conducted an extended functional analysis that included a modified attention condition. Results showed that the participant's aggression was maintained by access to preferred conversational topics. A function-based intervention decreased aggression and increased an appropriate communicative response.
authors.affiliation: New England Center for Children, Northeastern University, USA. eroscoe@necc.org
authors.forename: Eileen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Roscoe
authors.forename: Arianne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kindle
authors.forename: Sacha T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Pence
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior