Consider the following scenario:
Shaniqua is a 6-year-old girl in first grade.
Consider the following scenario:
Shaniqua is a 6-year-old girl in first grade. She has been referred for behavioral services due to property destruction. The target response class has been specified as “destroying school property” and has been operationally defined to include the following responses: (1) ripping papers such as worksheets or pages from a textbook, (2) writing on furniture such as school desks or tables, (3) and breaking school supplies such as pencils and crayons. The behavior analyst has conducted indirect and descriptive assessments but feels that it would be helpful to conduct a functional analysis of the problem behavior to help pinpoint the primary function of this behavior.
For this assignment you will do the following:
1) Explain how to conduct a functional analysis of the target problem behavior in this scenario using the 5 basic test conditions typically included in a FA. For each test condition, be sure to include how you would set up the antecedent conditions (motivating operations) and consequences for the problem behavior. (Hint: You can refer to the text and the videos provided in Lesson 2 of this course, as well as c. 27 in Cooper et al. (2020), particularly Table 27.1. Be sure to write your answers in your own words to receive full credit.)
2) For the sake of this assignment, assume that you conducted each of the functional analysis test conditions three times, for a total of 15 test sessions that each lasted 10 minutes. Please make up hypothetical data showing the number of occurrences of property destruction (as defined in the scenario) during each of the fifteen 10-minute test sessions.
You need to present your hypothetical data using either a graph or a table.
A) You may construct a graph that looks similar to the one below, except you will have 5 different test conditions with 3 sessions of each, so your x-axis will be numbered from 1 to 15. You also will be observing the number of occurrences of property destruction per 10-minute session, so this will go on the y-axis. The title should be “Functional Analysis of Destroying School Property.” You should have a legend/key to reflect what each of the 5 test conditions is.
picture attached
B) You may also report your data in a table if you are not comfortable graphing the results. (You will learn more about graphing in course 4). If you choose this option, you should create a table similar to the one below. You need to fill in the names of the test conditions in the first column and then enter the number of occurrences of the problem behavior for each 10-minute observation of each test condition.
table attached
3) Use your hypothetical data to decide the function of the problem behavior. Explain WHAT you think the function is and WHY.
4) Based on the function you have identified, suggest an appropriate intervention that may be effective. Be sure to include (1) WHAT the intervention is, (2) WHY it should be effective to reduce the problem behavior, and (3) an alternative appropriate behavior that Shaniqua can be taught to perform to allow her to achieve the same “payoff” (i.e., function) of the problem behavior by engaging in a more desirable response.
Please note: Your assignment should be submitted in a Word Document format using Times New Roman 12. The assignment must use APA format (See link to APA publication style in the course site resources.) Please include an appropriate heading on your paper and references to support methods or procedures used.