Overcorrection: A Critique

Teachers' perspectives on intervention strategies for pupils with self-injurious behavior

“…This strategy requires the learner to overcorrect the environmental effects of SIB and to repeat consistently appropriate forms of behaviour (Foxx and Bechtel, 1982). Overcorrection consists of two elements, restitution and positive practice (Murphy, 1978;Carey and Bücher, 1983).…”

“…The learner is required to practice intensively the correct form of a behaviour, which is more appropriate and desirable than SIB (Foxx and Azrin, 1973;Johnson et al, 1982;Murphy, 1978). For example, hair pulling can be reduced by hairbrushing, and used cigarette end mouthing by mouth washing with toothbrush (Matson et al, 1978).…”

“…• Educational validity of positive practice overcorrection It has been labelled educative punishment (Foxx and Azrin, 1972) because it affects SIB by teaching new types of behaviour and by punishing SIB (Murphy, 1978). It is also recognised as effective punishment (Foxx and Bechtel, 1982) because the learner is required to exhibit appropriate behaviours when SIB occurs (Foxx, 1978).…”

“…But the belief that it is educationally valid (firstly, suggested by Foxx and Azrin, 1972) is challenged (Murphy, 1978;Axelrod et al, 1978). Foxx and Bechtel (1982) admitted that the use of the term educative is not a fortunate one and that this term should be defined as the increase of appropriate behaviours due to the application of overcorrection and not educative in the sense that the learner is taught new behaviours.…”

“…On the other hand, because it involves many components that lead to success there is a tendency to apply it as a cookbook strategy. This can be avoided if it is linked to the function of SIB (Murphy, 1978).…”