Abstract
The subtypes of automatically reinforced self-injurious behavior (ASIB) delineated by Hagopian and colleagues (Hagopian et al., 2015; 2017) demonstrated how functional-analysis (FA) outcomes may predict the efficacy of various treatments. However, the mechanisms underlying the different patterns of responding obtained during FAs and corresponding differences in treatment efficacy have remained unclear. A central cause of this lack of clarity is that some proposed mechanisms, such as differences in the reinforcing efficacy of the products of ASIB, are difficult to manipulate. One solution may be to model subtypes of ASIB using mathematical models of behavior in which all aspects of the behavior can be controlled. In the current study, we used the evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics (ETBD; McDowell, 2019) to model the subtypes of ASIB, evaluate predictions of treatment efficacy, and replicate recent research aiming to test explanations for subtype differences. Implications for future research related to ASIB are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Change history
12 July 2021
Article has been updated to correct the figure sizes.
References
Baum, W. M. (1974). On two types of deviation from the matching law: Bias and undermatching. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 22(1), 231–242. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1974.22-231.
Beavers, G. A., Iwata, B. A., & Lerman, D. C. (2013). Thirty years of research on the functional analysis of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.30.
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2014). Professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts. https://bacb.com/ethics-code/
Berg, W. K., Wacker, D. P., Ringdahl, J. E., Stricker, J., Vinquist, K., Salil Kumar Dutt, A., Dolezal, D., Luke, J., Kemmerer, L., & Mews, J. (2016). An integrated model for guiding the selection of treatment components for problem behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(3), 617–638. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.303.
Borrero, C. S., Vollmer, T. R., Borrero, J. C., Bourret, J. C., Sloman, K. N., Samaha, A. L., & Dallery, J. (2010). Concurrent reinforcement schedules for problem behavior and appropriate behavior: Experimental applications of the matching law. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93(3), 455–469. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2010.93-455.
Borrero, J. C., & Vollmer, T. R. (2002). An application of the matching law to severe problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2002.35-13.
Cataldo, M. F., & Harris, J. (1982). The biological basis for self-injury in the mentally retarded. Analysis & Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2(1), 21–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-4684(82)90004-0.
Dallery, J., & Soto, P. L. (2013). Quantitative description of environment-behavior relations. In G. J. Madden (Ed.), APA handbook of behavior analysis: Vol. I. Methods and principles (pp. 219–249). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/13937-010.
Darwin, C. (1859). On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. Oxford University Press.
Fisher, W. W., Lindauer, S. E., Alterson, C. J., & Thompson, R. H. (1998). Assessment and treatment of destructive behavior maintained by stereotypic object manipulation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31(4), 513–527. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1998.31-513.
Fritz, J. N., Jackson, L. M., Stiefler, N. A., Wimberly, B. S., & Richardson, A. R. (2017). Noncontingent reinforcement without extinction plus differential reinforcement of alternative behavior during treatment of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(3), 590–599. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.395.
Hagopian, L. P., & Frank-Crawford, M. A. (2018). Classification of self-injurious behaviour across the continuum of relative environmental–biological influence. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 62(12), 1108–1113. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12430.
Hagopian, L. P., Frank-Crawford, M. A., Javed, N., Fisher, A. B., Dillon, C. M., Zarcone, J. R., & Rooker, G. W. (2020). Initial outcomes of an augmented competing stimulus assessment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(4), 2172–2185. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.725.
Hagopian, L. P., Rooker, G. W., & Yenokyan, G. (2018). Identifying predictive behavioral markers: A demonstration using automatically reinforced self-injurious behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(3), 443–465. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.477.
Hagopian, L. P., Rooker, G. W., & Zarcone, J. R. (2015). Delineating subtypes of self-injurious behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48(3), 523–543. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.236.
Hagopian, L. P., Rooker, G. W., Zarcone, J. R., Bonner, A. C., & Arevalo, A. R. (2017). Further analysis of subtypes of automatically reinforced SIB: A replication and quantitative analysis of published datasets. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(1), 48–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.368.
Herrnstein, R. J. (1961). Relative and absolute strength of response as a function of frequency of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 4, 267–272. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1961.4-267.
Herrnstein, R. J. (1970). On the law of effect. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 13(2), 243–266. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1970.13-243.
Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1982/1994). 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.
Iwata, B. A., Pace, G. M., Dorsey, M. F., Zarcone, J. R., Vollmer, T. R., Smith, R. G., Rodgers, T. A., Lerman, D. C., Shore, B. A., Mazalesk, J. L., Goh, H. L., Cowdery, G. E., Kalsher, M. J., McCosh, K. C., & Willis, K. D. (1994). The functions of self-injurious behavior: An experimental-epidemiological analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(2), 215–240. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-215.
Kulubekova, S., & McDowell, J. J. (2013). Computational model of selection by consequences: Patterns of preference change on concurrent schedules. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 100, 147–164. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2008.90-387.
Kunnavatana, S. S., Bloom, S. E., Samaha, A. L., Slocum, T. A., & Clay, C. J. (2018). Manipulating parameters of reinforcement to reduce problem behavior without extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(2), 283–302. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.443.
LeBlanc, L. A., Patel, M. R., & Carr, J. E. (2000). Recent advances in the assessment of aberrant behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement in individuals with developmental disabilities. Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 31(2), 137–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7916(00)00017-3.
Leif, E. S., Roscoe, E. M., Ahearn, W. H., Rogalski, J. P., & Morrison, H. (2020). Increasing item engagement and decreasing automatically reinforced problem behavior within a modified competing stimulus assessment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1638–1659. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.695.
MacCorquodale, K. (1969). BF Skinner's verbal behavior: a retrospective appreciation. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 12(5), 831. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1969.12-831.
McDowell, J. J. (1982). The importance of Herrnstein's mathematical statement of the law of effect for behavior therapy. American Psychologist, 37(7), 771–779. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.37.7.771.
McDowell, J. J. (1986). On the falsifiability of matching theory. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 45(1), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1986.45-63.
McDowell, J. J. (1988). Matching theory in natural human environments. The Behavior Analyst, 11(2), 95–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392462.
McDowell, J. J. (2004). A computational model of selection by consequences. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 81(3), 297–317. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2004.81-297.
McDowell, J. J. (2013). A quantitative evolutionary theory of adaptive behavior dynamics. Psychological Review, 120(4), 731–750. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034244.
McDowell, J. J. (2019). On the current status of the evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 111(1), 130–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.495
McDowell, J. J., & Caron, M. L. (2007). Undermatching is an emergent property of selection by consequences. Behavioural Processes, 75(2), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2007.02.017.
McDowell, J. J., Caron, M. L., Kulubekova, S., & Berg, J. P. (2008). A computational theory of selection by consequences applied to concurrent schedules. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 90(3), 387–403. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2008.90-387.
McDowell, J. J, & Popa, A. (2010). Toward a mechanics of adaptive behavior: Evolutionary dynamics and matching theory statics. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 94(2), 241–260. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2010.94-241.
McDowell, J. J, Popa, A., & Calvin, N. T. (2012). Selection dynamics in joint matching to rate and magnitude of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 98(2), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2012.98-199.
McDowell, J. J., & Klapes, B. (2018). An evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics applied to concurrent ratio schedules. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 110(3), 323–335. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.468.
McDowell, J. J., & Klapes, B. (2019). An implementation of punishment in the evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 112(2), 128–143. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.543.
McDowell, J. J., & Klapes, B. (2020). All Behavior is choice: Revisiting an evolutionary theory's account of behavior on single schedules. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 114(3), 430–446. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.630.
Piazza, C. C., Fisher, W. W., Hanley, G. P., LeBlanc, L. A., Worsdell, A. S., Lindauer, S. E., & Keeney, K. M. (1998). Treatment of pica through multiple analyses of its reinforcing functions. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31(2), 165–189. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1998.31-165.
Popa, A., & McDowell, J. J. (2016). Behavioral variability in an evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 105(2), 270–290. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.199.
Querim, A. C., Iwata, B. A., Roscoe, E. M., Schlichenmeyer, K. J., Ortega, J. V., & Hurl, K. E. (2013). Functional analysis screening for problem behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46(1), 47– 60. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.26
Ringdahl, J. E., Vollmer, T. R., Marcus, B. A., & Roane, H. S. (1997). An analogue evaluation of environmental enrichment: The role of stimulus preference. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30(2), 203–216. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1997.30-203.
Rooker, G. W., Hagopian, L. P., Haddock, J. N., Mezhoudi, N., & Arevalo, A. R. (2019). Sensitivity to changing environmental conditions across individuals with subtype 2 automatically reinforced and socially reinforced self-injury. Behavioral Development, 24(2), 89. https://doi.org/10.1037/bdb0000090.
Shore, B. A., Iwata, B. A., DeLeon, I. G., Kahng, S., & Smith, R. G. (1997). An analysis of reinforcer substitutability using object manipulation and self-injury as competing responses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30(1), 21–41. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1997.30-21.
Skinner, B. F. (1945) The operational analysis of psychological terms. Psychological Review, 52(5), 268–277. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0062535.
Skinner, B. F. (1981). Selection by consequences. Science, 213(4507), 501–504. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.7244649.
Sprague, J., Holland, K., & Thomas, K. (1997). The effect of noncontingent sensory reinforcement, contingent sensory reinforcement, and response interruption on stereotypical and self-injurious behavior. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 18(1), 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-4222(96)00038-8.
Verriden, A. L., & Roscoe, E. M. (2019). An evaluation of a punisher assessment for decreasing automatically reinforced problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52(1), 205–226. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.509.
Vollmer, T. R. (1994). The concept of automatic reinforcement: Implications for behavioral research in developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 15(3), 187–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/0891-4222(94)90011-6.
Vollmer, T. R., Marcus, B. A., & LeBlanc, L. (1994). Treatment of self-injury and hand mouthing following inconclusive functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(2), 331–344. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-331.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. This research was conducted in accordance with ethical standards.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Morris, S.L., McDowell, J.J. Modeling Subtypes of Automatically Reinforced Self-Injurious Behavior with the Evolutionary Theory of Behavior Dynamics. Perspect Behav Sci 44, 581–603 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-021-00297-9
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-021-00297-9