A functional analysis of multiple aberrant responses: a refinement and extension of Iwata et al.'s (1982) methodology

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study extends an operant methodology for the analysis of variables which control aberrant responses displayed by mentally handicapped people. The proportion of time spent in individual, stereotyped topographies by three profoundly mentally handicapped subjects was observed by momentary time‐sampling whilst they were repeatedly exposed to four analogue environments: Alone, Social Disapproval, Academic Demand and Unstructured Play. Two of the three subjects showed replicable effects of the analogue environments. One subject showed evidence of an interaction between stereotyped topography and type of analogue environment. This study shows that the operant methodology of Iwata et al. (1982), originally developed with self injurious responses, can be successfully refined and extended to the analysis of a wider range of aberrant topographies.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation for Stereotypic and Repetitive Behavior

“…However, more recent studies have provided evidence that stereotypic and repetitive behaviors are multifunctional and that, in addition to providing enhanced sensation, they also yield other benefits: attention, gaining a tangible object or escaping from demanding tasks (Berkson et al 1995;Durand and Carr 1987;Hall et al 2003;Sturmey et al 1988). Evidence also suggests that motivations for stereotypical and repetitive behaviors may become more complex over time as the behaviors gain associations with new effects and social consequences (Bodfish 2004;Willemsen-Swinkels et al 1998).…”

An analogue assessment of hand stereotypies in two cases of Rett syndrome

“…Frequency counts for intervals in which hand manipulation occurred were tallied and the data are presented in standard deviation units. Sturmey et al (1988) reported that this allows for comparison within and between individuals who vary in absolute proportion of time spent in specific behaviours and at the same time presents information on the relative variability of proportion of time spent in a behaviour. As represented in Fig.…”

“…Carr (1977) identified motivating factors in the maintenance of self-injurious behaviours which included external (positive or negative reinforcement) and intrinsic (sensory) reinforcers. Sturmey et al (1988) utilized these factors in their analogue assessment of multiple aberrant responses in persons with developmental disabilities and the present study modified these conditions for this assessment.…”

The Motivation of Stereotypic and Repetitive Behavior: Examination of Construct Validity of the Motivation Assessment Scale

“…Studies in the 1970s and 1980s provided some evidence that stereotypic behaviors were motivated by sensory consequences (Durand and Crimmins 1988a;Sturmey et al 1988;Wieseler et al 1985). These studies contributed to a belief that providing children with sensory stimulation would reduce the behaviors, a premise that has received only limited support.…”