Function of Behaviour

Behaviour Analysts approach behaviours different then many other s. They  work to determine the function of the behaviour. This is the why a behaviour is occurring rather than what the behaviour looks like.

Behaviours that look the same can have very different functions. There are 4 main functions:

1)     Access to reinforcers/things they want (this can be items, objects, attention)

2)     Escape/Avoid something they don’t want to do

3)     Stereotypy (also known as self stimulation)

4)     Relief from pain/discomfort (if you ever believe a behaviour is occurring because of pain, please consult your family doctor).

Here are some examples of how similar looking behaviours can have different functions:

When I slap my arm, the mosquito stops biting me (relief from pain).

When I slap my arm, the teacher tells me to stop (I get attention).

When I slap my arm, the work goes away (I escape a demand).

The slapping looks the same in all the examples, but why I am doing it is different.

Another example:

Your child hits you and you give them the cookie they want (they get what they want).

Your child hits the teacher and they get sent to the office (the work they were supposed to do goes away).

Your child hits their head and the pain goes away.

The action of hitting looks the same in each case, but why the child is doing it is different.

Knowing why a child is engaging in a specific behaviour is essential to understanding what strategies to employ to decrease undesired behaviours.

Future blogs will discuss possible strategies for each function.

Reinforcement

This is one of those terms that is very misunderstood. Many people see it as a bribe. The truth of the matter is most of human behaviour is shaped and maintained by reinforcement. For example, if most of us did not get paid we would not go to work. It is the promise of a pay cheque that motivates us to get out of bed on Monday morning. The pay cheque allows us access to all the things in our life (food, shelter, luxuries) that we need and enjoy.

What is reinforcement?
A consequence that INCREASES the likelihood of the behaviour in the future under similar antecedent situations.

How do we know if something is reinforcing?
You won’t know if something worked as a reinforcer until next time you present the learner with the situation. It is only a reinforcer if the behaviour INCREASES (or the person is more likely to engage in this behaviour)

Types of Reinforcement:
• Positive Reinforcement: contingent upon a behaviour, we add something to the environment that increases the likelihood of the behaviour in the future.
For example: We ask a learner to sit, and when they do, we give them a candy and in the future they are more likely to sit when asked. You receive a pay cheque for going to work and in the future you are more likely to continue to go to work.
• Negative Reinforcement: Contingent upon a behaviour, we remove something from the environment that increases the likelihood of the behaviour occurring in the future. (escape and avoidance)
For example: When the learner completes a task they can leave the table. When you comply and take the garbage out, your wife stops nagging.

Understanding reinforcement and learning to use it effectively is the key too changing any behaviour in any population.