title: Basing assessment and treatment of problem behavior on behavioral momentum theory: Analyses of behavioral persistence.
abstract: The connection, or bridge, between applied and basic behavior analysis has been long-established (Hake, 1982; Mace & Critchfield, 2010). In this article, we describe how clinical decisions can be based more directly on behavioral processes and how basing clinical procedures on behavioral processes can lead to improved clinical outcomes. As a case in point, we describe how applied behavior analyses of maintenance, and specifically the long-term maintenance of treatment effects related to problem behavior, can be adjusted and potentially enhanced by basing treatment on Behavioral Momentum Theory. We provide a brief review of the literature including descriptions of two translational studies that proposed changes in how differential reinforcement of alternative behavior treatments are conducted based on Behavioral Momentum Theory. We then describe current clinical examples of how these translations are continuing to impact the definitions, designs, analyses, and treatment procedures used in our clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri, Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology, 16 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Electronic address: schieltzk@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Schieltz
authors.affiliation: The University of Iowa Children's Hospital, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, 100 Hawkins Dr. 251 CDD, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: david-wacker@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wacker
authors.affiliation: University of Georgia, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: ringdahl@uga.edu.
authors.forename: Joel E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ringdahl
authors.affiliation: The University of Iowa Children's Hospital, Center for Disabilities and Development, 100 Hawkins Dr. 251 CDD, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: wendy-berg@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Wendy K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology
keywords: Behavioral momentum theory; Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior; Long-term maintenance