The Effectiveness of Antecedent Control on Appropriate Behavior of a 20-Year-Old Female with Developmental Disabilities in a High School Lunchroom

Caroline Sweeney, Gonzaga University

Research Project Abstract

The purpose was to evaluate the effects of an antecedent control procedure on the increasing appropriate behavior of a 20-year-old female with developmental disabilities in a high school lunchroom. An interval system within a reversal design measured the occurrence of appropriate behavior versus inappropriate behavior. Before a session, the researcher reviewed the rules of appropriate behavior with the participant and then instructed her to clean the lunchroom tables. The researcher started a timer and provided the participant with attention every 3 seconds regardless of the participant’s behavior. The attention was either praise if appropriate or an instruction/rule if inappropriate. The session ended at five minutes. The results showed that the antecedent control procedure was highly effective in eliciting appropriate behavior. The antecedent control intervention was successful because the participant was constantly receiving attention from the researcher prior to the onset of inappropriate behavior.

This paper has been withdrawn.
 
Apr 28th, 9:15 AM Apr 28th, 10:45 AM

The Effectiveness of Antecedent Control on Appropriate Behavior of a 20-Year-Old Female with Developmental Disabilities in a High School Lunchroom

HUB Multipurpose Room

The purpose was to evaluate the effects of an antecedent control procedure on the increasing appropriate behavior of a 20-year-old female with developmental disabilities in a high school lunchroom. An interval system within a reversal design measured the occurrence of appropriate behavior versus inappropriate behavior. Before a session, the researcher reviewed the rules of appropriate behavior with the participant and then instructed her to clean the lunchroom tables. The researcher started a timer and provided the participant with attention every 3 seconds regardless of the participant’s behavior. The attention was either praise if appropriate or an instruction/rule if inappropriate. The session ended at five minutes. The results showed that the antecedent control procedure was highly effective in eliciting appropriate behavior. The antecedent control intervention was successful because the participant was constantly receiving attention from the researcher prior to the onset of inappropriate behavior.