Functional Assessment

To change problem behaviors, we must understand the mechanisms that underlie individual behavior. We can apply this knowledge to see how successfully we can change behaviors for the betterment of the individual. This can allow researchers to come up with new approaches that may lead to a better society in the long run. While some factors can make changes less probable, such as genes predisposing someone to disabilities that manifest into behavior, behavior can be modified by using reinforcement contingencies. Baer et al. (1968) states that unlike non-applied research, which identifies any behavior and its contributing factors, applied research looks at how to improve specific behaviors in a socially important way. The problem behavior, which may involve social problems, is

Functional behavior is functional when an organism’s actions are used to adapt to an environment and the behavior results in consequences. The goal of functional assessment is to evaluate the relationship between external events and behaviors in order to control and predict those behaviors. The foundation of the functional assessment can be traced back to Skinner, who identified the classes of variables that affect behavior. These classes became principles that explain the function of behavior in a given environment, such as the occurrence of positive reinforcement and its influence on future behavior. Functional assessment can be applied in single-case methods, such as cases in individuals with developmental disabilities who partake in self-injury. Specifically, Iwata et al. found that there were different sources of reinforcements between individuals that maintained the self-injurious behavior, which has set the stage for behavioral analysis today. According to Skinner, human behavior can be improved through the application of behavioral