Faculty Articles
Analysis of Environmental Determinants of Aggression and Disruption in Mentally Retarded Children
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1986
Publication Title
Applied Research in Mental Retardation
Volume
7
Issue/Number
2
First Page
203
ISSN
0270-3092
Last Page
221
Abstract/Excerpt
This study evaluated methods for empirically identifying environmental determinants of aggressive and disruptive behavior in three developmentally delayed children. A variety of sessions conducted on an inpatient treatment unit were designed to simulate contingencies maintaining aggression and disruption in the subjects' natural environments. The basic analog conditions included: 1) instructional demands, 2) contingent social disapproval, and 3) structured play. In addition, variations of the three basic conditions were developed based on informal observation and parental reports of naturally occurring contingencies. Results showed considerable variability both between and within subjects. However, for each subject a specific analog condition was shown to produce relatively higher rates of aberrant behavior. Subsequently, behavioral treatments based on assessment results were successfully implemented with two of the subjects. Results are discussed in terms of the importance and practical limitations of conducting systematic assessment of aberrant repertoires in developmentally delayed clients.
DOI
10.1016/0270-3092(86)90006-8
NSUWorks Citation
Mace, F. C.,
Paige, T. J.,
Ivancic, M. T.,
O'Brien, S.
(1986). Analysis of Environmental Determinants of Aggression and Disruption in Mentally Retarded Children. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 7(2), 203-221.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/786