ps385 Unit 4 DP Ethical Considerations Intervention Selection Manipulating Antecedents Consequences
Read the following chapters in your Applied Behavior Analysis text:
- Chapter 22: “Differential Reinforcement”
- Chapter 23: “Antecedent Interventions”
Read the following chapter in your Ethics for Behavior Analysts text:
- Chapter 7: “The Behavior Analyst’s Responsibility to Clients” (pp. 87–90, Guideline 2)
Manipulating Antecedents and Consequences
Scenario: Frank is a BCBA who works with Changing Directions, an agency that provides community-based mental health services. The agency received a behavior analysis referral from a pediatrician for a 10-year-old boy named, “Michael. ” Michael’s mother, Katherine, has been having some significant problems with his behavior for as long as she can remember, but these problems have worsened over the past two years. Michael engages in verbally aggressive behavior at home, including yelling/arguing with his mother and siblings, as well as property destruction in the form of breaking toys, breaking household items, and punching holes in the wall. Michael has begun to display similar behaviors in the school setting, which has resulted in his mother having to leave work to pick him up. Katherine received a promotion at her current job over a year ago, which has required a significant increase in her work hours and less time with the children. In an initial interview, Katherine reports that she has used spanking when Michael has “acted out” and has tried to reward Michael when he has “behaved well,” but nothing appears to work. Frank conducted a functional behavioral assessment that indicated much of Michael’s behavior appeared to serve the function of positive reinforcement in the form of social attention from his mother.
Answer the following questions based on your readings in the current unit:
- How are antecedent interventions used as a behavior intervention strategy? Based on your readings, which type of antecedent intervention would best address the problem behavior of verbal aggression and property destruction displayed by Michael? Explain the rationale for your response.
- What are the differences among the four major types of differential reinforcement (DRA, DRI, DRO, and DRL)?
- Which differential reinforcement procedure would be most appropriate, based on the results of the functional behavioral assessment in the current scenario? How would you appropriately apply the procedure to affect behavior change in the current scenario?
- What are some ethical considerations that might impact your choice of intervention in the current scenario, based on your readings?
part 2
Ethical Considerations in Intervention Selection:
The purpose of this Learning Activity is to explore Behavior Analysts’ ethical responsibilities to the clients they serve, as well as their responsibility to select appropriate interventions. The current Learning Activity provides an opportunity for you to apply your understanding of ethical considerations to a school-based scenario in which a student’s I.E.P. team is considering appropriate measures to address a significant behavioral concern in the classroom.
Submitting Your Assignment
1. View the Ethical Considerations in Intervention Selection Case Scenario.
2. Complete the Unit 4 Learning Activity Template located in Course Documents.
