Why does he do that??

Why does he do that?Traditional versus Functional Explanations(8 minutes, 24 seconds)

It seems that many people enter into the field of psychology wanting to know why people do what they do. As you may be aware there are contrasting views of the causes of behavior. I will contrast a traditional view of explaining behavior versus a behavior analytic functional approach.1Explanations of human behaviorTraditional perspectiveSomething inside of him makes him do that

Unpredictable (from standpoint of current context), one cannot know what his brain is processing at any given momentFunctional perspectiveLearning history and current context conditions greatly determine behavior Probability of certain behaviors high when certain conditions are in effect for a given individual

A traditional perspective you often hear that behavior is a result of some internal process. In fact if you have watched any of the drama series such as lawn order, criminal minds and others, you often hear that the perpetrator has some driving mechanism inside of him or her that makes them engage in the unlawful act. Therefore, the incident involving the undesirable behavior, for example murdering someone, is unpredictable. One cannot tell when someone who is brain disordered is going to engage again in the behavior. If you watch those shows, you often see that any instance of the behavior is the result of this inside driving force, often described to some brain disorder.In contrast, explanations of human behavior from a functional perspective involve understanding the individuals learning history as well as the current contextual conditions. For example, a functional perspective on someone who engages in a criminal act would examine the previous learning history, that is how successful as the individual being in performing the criminal act, as well as the current contextual conditions.When one identifies the antecedent conditions that make certain behaviors highly probable, one can see that such behaviors are really not that unpredictable. For example, shoplifters may say they have impulse control problem, yet would be engage in that behavior right in front of the security guard? Or do they find a place in the store where the surveillance cameras cannot detect anyone and wait for an opportune time? do people who have shoplifted successfully for a period of timebecome people who are more likely to shoplift.2What is wrong with traditional interpretations about problem behavior?Why does Johnny tantrum?He does it (tantrum) because he has some disorder, or he is impulsive or immature (supposedly a stable trait), negates an analysis of contextual factorsIs the role of environmental/context variables trivialized? You bet!

3What is wrong with a traditional interpretation about problem behavior? For example lets look at a hypothetical child named Johnny tantrums. They would say he tantrums because either he has some disorder which makes him engage in such behaviors or some developmental theoretical model, such as he is too impulsive or immature because of the stage of development he is in. Notice that the role of environment and context variables is trivialized, that is it is not indicated as influential factors in the exhibition of tantrum behaviorFunctional interpretations about problem behaviorWhy does Johnny tantrum?He does it (tantrum) because he either wants something, or wants to escape or avoid and unpleasant eventIs the role of environmental/context variables important? You bet!

4From a functional perspective, one would look at how successful johnnies tantrums have been in the past in either getting something he wants or getting out of something that he doesnt want. In other words, the function or purpose of johnnies behavior is evaluated and allows one to determine the probability of tantrum behavior if one is told that the contextual conditions are currentlyEnnio Cipani, Ph.D. (2011)Understanding functionTarget Behavior(s):Function:

I want to review a format that will be used in the subsequent lectures to analyze and understand a problem behaviors function. Notice on the left hand column there is a space for the target behavior. Below that one would identify the function5Ennio Cipani, Ph.D. (2011)Understanding functionTarget Behavior(s):Function:Target behavior likely under following antecedent contexts:Target behavior unlikely under following antecedent contexts:

The contextual conditions involving the target behavior are then delineated. It is also important to identify the antecedent conditions in which the behavior is unlikely6Ennio Cipani, Ph.D. (2011)Understanding functionTarget Behavior(s):Function:Target behavior likely under following antecedent contexts:Target behavior unlikely under following antecedent contexts:Functional treatment:

If one understands what the target behaviors function is as a result of determining the antecedent contexts under which such behavior occurs and how the consequent event affects the behavior occurrence in the future, it is then very easy to determine what the treatment strategy should be7Ennio Cipani, Ph.D. (2011)Understanding functionTarget Behavior(s):Tantrum behaviorFunction:To get cookiesTarget behavior likely under following antecedent contexts:When he wants cookies, and person who gives cookies for such behavior is presentTarget behavior unlikely under following antecedent contexts:When he is not wanting cookies Functional treatment:Make tantrum behavior less effective and efficient at getting cookies- relative to some other behavior

Heres a filled out form. Notice we selected tantrum behavior and its function is to get cookies, when the individual is desirous of such. So target behavior is very likely with this child wants cookies and I also might add when other behaviors are unsuccessful at getting cookies, tantrum behavior is very likely. It is very unlikely what she has had her fill of cookies or doesnt want a more.Note as result of this analysis we can determine a effective functional treatment. How would you get this child is not tantrum in? Obviously tantrum behavior should not result in cookies. What is also important is that the program designer also specify a behavior that is successful at getting cookies that can compete with the tantrum behavior which should now not get cookies.8