The authors, Lerman and Iwata (1993) conducted this student to compare descriptive and experimental analyses and whether or not they lead to similar conclusions about behavioral function for individuals who exhibit SIB. Experimental analysis manipulates possible maintaining variables such as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and automatic reinforcers. Descriptive analysis is a direct observation of behavior in the natural environment, related to the behavior. Three different methods of descriptive analysis have been created. The first entails taking frequency data of the behavior over a set amount of time. The second method establishes a narrative to create a sequence of antecedent, behavior, and consequence. The third type takes
…show more content…
The descriptive analysis also supports the SIB maintained by automatic reinforcement. In Holly’s case, the experimental and descriptive analyses produced data that lead to a similar conclusion.
Olivia
In the experimental analysis, data suggested that Olivia’s SIB was maintained by negative reinforcement (escape). Olivia displayed the highest proportion of SIB when it followed the absence of adult interaction in regards to descriptive analysis. Overall, Olivia’s descriptive analysis provided ambiguous results. The data suggests support for either social-positive and social-negative reinforcement. The experimental analysis and descriptive analysis did not yield the same results.
Stan
In the experimental analysis, data suggested that Stan’s SIB was maintained by social-negative reinforcement. The descriptive analysis suggests that he exhibits SIB in the presence of staff, however his SIB was often ignored. The descriptive analysis data did not clearly delineate whether it was attention or escape, but experimental analysis did determine the type of reinforcer. The experimental analysis and descriptive analysis did not yield the same
The descriptive analysis also supports the SIB maintained by automatic reinforcement. In Holly’s case, the experimental and descriptive analyses produced data that lead to a similar conclusion.
Olivia
In the experimental analysis, data suggested that Olivia’s SIB was maintained by negative reinforcement (escape). Olivia displayed the highest proportion of SIB when it followed the absence of adult interaction in regards to descriptive analysis. Overall, Olivia’s descriptive analysis provided ambiguous results. The data suggests support for either social-positive and social-negative reinforcement. The experimental analysis and descriptive analysis did not yield the same results.
Stan
In the experimental analysis, data suggested that Stan’s SIB was maintained by social-negative reinforcement. The descriptive analysis suggests that he exhibits SIB in the presence of staff, however his SIB was often ignored. The descriptive analysis data did not clearly delineate whether it was attention or escape, but experimental analysis did determine the type of reinforcer. The experimental analysis and descriptive analysis did not yield the same