Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluating the Resurgence of Problem Behavior with Three Functionally Equivalent Discriminated Operants

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Psychological Record Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to replicate and extend previous research on the resurgence of three clinically relevant behaviors emitted by individuals with histories of problem behavior. Four school-aged children with intellectual and developmental disabilities were first exposed to a brief functional analysis to determine the maintaining variables of problem behavior. Participants then completed functional communication training, during which mands, including signing or hand raising and handing a picture to the researcher, were trained. Finally, participants were exposed to the following experimental conditions: (a) reinforcement of problem behavior with mands placed on extinction, (b) reinforcement of the first mand with problem behavior and the second mand placed on extinction, (c) extinction of all responses to test for the resurgence of problem behavior, (d) reinforcement of problem behavior with mands placed on extinction, (e) reinforcement of the second mand with problem behavior and the first mand placed on extinction, and (f) extinction of all responses to test for the resurgence of both problem behavior and the first mand. Results indicated that problem behavior resurged during extinction conditions across all participants, whereas a mand resurged for one of the four participants. These results support previous findings on the resurgence of problem behavior.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bachá-Méndez, G., Reid, A. K., & Mendoza-Soylovna, A. (2007). Resurgence of integrated behavioral units. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 87(1), 5–24.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, W. K., Ringdahl, J. E., Ryan, S. E., Ing, A. D., Lustig, N., Romani, P., … & Durako, E. (2015). Resurgence of mands following functional communication training. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, 41, 166–186.

  • Bloom, M., Fischer, J., & Orme, J. G. (1995). Evaluating practice. Boston, MA: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borlase, M. A., Vladescu, J. C., Kisamore, A. N., Reeve, S. A., & Fetzer, J. L. (2017). Analysis of precursors to multiply controlled problem behavior: A replication. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50, 668–674.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18(2), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cleland, B. S., Foster, T. M., & Temple, W. (2000). Resurgence: The role of extinction. Behavioural Processes, 52, 117–129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Da Silva, S. P., Maxwell, M. E., & Lattal, K. A. (2008). Concurrent resurgence and behavioral history. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 90(3), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2008.90-313.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • DeLeon, I. G., & Iwata, B. A. (1996). Evaluation of a multiple-stimulus presentation format for assessing reinforcer preferences. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 519–532. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2996.29-519.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Durand, V. M., & Carr, E. G. (1991). Functional communication training to reduce challenging behavior: Maintenance and application in new settings. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 251–264.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, R. (1983). Resurgence of previously reinforced behavior during extinction. Behaviour Analysis Letters, 3, 391–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritz, J. N., Iwata, B. A., Hammond, J. L., & Bloom, S. E. (2013). Experimental analysis of precursors to severe problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 101–129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fuhrman, A. M., Fisher, W. W., & Greer, B. G. (2016). A preliminary investigation on improving functional communication training by mitigating resurgence of destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49, 884–899. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heath, A. K., Ganz, J. B., Parker, R., Burke, M., & Ninci, J. (2015). A meta-analytic review of functional communication training across mode of communication, age, and disability. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2, 155–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, K., & Falcomata, T. S. (2014). An evaluation of resurgence of appropriate communication in individuals with autism who exhibit severe problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47(3), 651–656. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, J. S., Sparkman, C. R., Cohen, H. G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 359–383.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1994). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(2), 197–209. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197 (Reprinted from Analysis & Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2, 1982, 3–20).

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, J. M., Bloom, S. E., Samaha, A. L., Dayton, E., & Rodewald, A. M. (2015). Serial alternative response training as intervention for target response resurgence. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48, 765–780.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laraway, S., Snycerski, S., Michael, J., & Poling, A. (2003). Motivating operations and terms to describe them: Some further refinements. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 407–414.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lieving, G. A., Hagopian, L. P., Long, E. S., & O’Connor, J. (2004). Response-class hierarchies and resurgence of severe problem behavior. Psychological Record, 54, 621–634.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lieving, G. A., & Lattal, K. A. (2003). Recency, repeatability, and reinforcer entrenchment: An analysis of resurgence. Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 80, 217–233. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2003.80-217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mace, F. C., McComas, J. J., Mauro, B. C., Progar, P. R., Taylor, B., Ervin, R., & Zangrillo, A. N. (2010). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior increases resistance to extinction: Clinical demonstration, animal modeling, and clinical test of one solution. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93, 349–367. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2010.93-349.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marsteller, T. M., & St. Peter, C. C. (2014). Effects of fixed-time reinforcement schedules on resurgence of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 455–469. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McComas, J. J., Hartman, E. C., & Jimenez, A. (2008). Some effects of magnitude of reinforcement on persistence of responding. Psychological Record, 58, 517–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, S. M., & Johnson, C. P. (2007). Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1162–1182. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-2362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neil, N., & Jones, E. A. (2016). Repetitive behavior in children with Down Syndrome: Functional analysis and intervention. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 28(2), 267–288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-015-9465-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Northup, J., Wacker, D., Sasso, G., Steege, M., Cigrand, K., Cook, J., & DeRaad, A. (1991). A brief functional analysis of aggressive and alternative behavior in an outpatient setting. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 509–522. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1991.24-509.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Podlesnik, C. A., Jimenez-Gomez, C., & Shahan, T. A. (2006). Resurgence of alcohol seeking produced by discontinuing non-drug reinforcement as an animal model of drug relapse. Behavioural Pharmacology, 17(4), 369–374. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.fbp.0000224385.09486.ba.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rawson, R. A., Leitenberg, H., Mulick, J. A., & Lefebvre, M. F. (1977). Recovery of extinction responding in rats following discontinuation of reinforcement of alternative behavior: a test of two explanations. Animal Learning & Behavior, 5, 415–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reed, P., & Morgan, T. A. (2006). Resurgence of response sequences during extinction in rats shows a primacy effect. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 86, 307–315. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2006.20-05.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Reed, P., & Morgan, T. A. (2007). Resurgence of behavior during extinction depends on previous rate of response. Learning & Behavior, 35(2), 106–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rooker, G. W., Iwata, B. A., Harper, J. M., Fahmie, T. A., & Camp, E. M. (2011). False-positive tangible outcomes of functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 737–745. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-737.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, R. K. (2007). Beyond autism treatment: The application of applied behavior analysis in the treatment of emotional and psychological disorders. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 3, 528–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahan, T. A., & Sweeney, M. M. (2011). A model of resurgence based on behavioral momentum theory. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 95(1), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2011.95-91.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, M. M., & Shahan, T. A. (2013a). Behavioral momentum and resurgence: Effects of time in extinction and repeated resurgence tests. Learning & Behavior, 41(4), 414–424. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-013-0116-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, M. M., & Shahan, T. A. (2013b). Effects of high, low, and thinning rates of alternative reinforcement on response elimination and resurgence. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 100(1), 102–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiger, J. H., Hanley, G. P., & Bruzek, J. (2008). Functional communication training: A review and practical guide. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1, 16–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Volkert, V. M., Lerman, D. C., Call, N. A., & Trosclair-Lasserre, N. (2009). An evaluation of resurgence during treatment with functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42(1), 145–160. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2009.42-145.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wacker, D. P. Harding, J. W., Berg, W. K., Lee, J. F., Schieltz, K. M., Padilla, Y. C., … & Shahan, T. A. (2011). An evaluation of persistence of treatment effects during long-term treatment of destructive behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 96, 261–282. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2011.96-261

  • Wacker, D. P., Harding, J. W., Morgan, T. A., Berg, W. K., Schieltz, K. M., Lee, J. F., & Padilla, Y. C. (2013). An evaluation of resurgence during functional communication training. Psychological Record, 63, 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2009.42-145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This project was completed in partial fulfillment of the master’s degree from Saint Louis University by the first author.

The authors would like to thank Joel Ringdahl for his comments on earlier versions of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, College of Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO, 63103, USA

    Olivia Hansen Gratz, Alyssa N. Wilson & Tyler Glassford

Authors
  1. Olivia Hansen Gratz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alyssa N. Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tyler Glassford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alyssa N. Wilson.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Author 1 (blind for review) declares she has no conflict of interest. Author 2 (blind for review) declares that she has no conflict of interest. Author 3 (blind for review) has no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed parental consent and participant assent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gratz, O.H., Wilson, A.N. & Glassford, T. Evaluating the Resurgence of Problem Behavior with Three Functionally Equivalent Discriminated Operants. Psychol Rec 69, 117–129 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-018-0305-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-018-0305-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation