Analysis of the effects of task preferences, task demands, and adult attention on child behavior in outpatient and classroom settings

Linda J Cooper; David P Wacker; Deanna Thursby; Lee Ann Plagmann; Jay  Harding; Thomas Millard; Mark Derby

doi:10.1901/jaba.1992.25-823

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Analysis of the effects of task preferences, task demands, and adult attention on child behavior in outpatient and classroom settings

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Analysis of the effects of task preferences, task demands, and adult attention on child behavior in outpatient and classroom settings

Linda J Cooper, David P Wacker, Deanna Thursby, Lee Ann Plagmann, Jay Harding, Thomas Millard and Mark Derby

Journal of applied behavior analysis, Vol.25(4), pp.823-840

1992

DOI: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-823

PMCID: PMC1279767

PMID: 1478905

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Abstract

Two studies were conducted with children who displayed behavior problems to evaluate the effects of task preference, task demands, and adult attention on child behavior. In Study 1, we conducted brief functional analyses in an outpatient clinic to identify variables that facilitated appropriate behavior. For 8 of 10 children, distinct patterns of performance occurred; 3 children displayed improved behavior with changes in task demands, 1 child displayed improved behavior with a preferred task, and 4 children displayed improved behavior with changes in adult attention. In most cases, the children's parents carried out the assessments with adequate procedural integrity. In Study 2, we applied similar assessment methods to a classroom setting over an extended period of time. We identified independent variables controlling appropriate, on-task, and academic behavior for 2 children on two tasks, with slightly different treatment procedures across tasks for both children. In addition, the results of brief functional analyses for both children corresponded to the extended classroom assessments.

Education of Intellectually Disabled

Adjustment Disorders - therapy

Child Behavior Disorders - psychology

Humans

Attention

Male

Language Development Disorders - therapy

Social Environment

Reinforcement, Social

Intellectual Disability - therapy

Adjustment Disorders - psychology

Child Behavior Disorders - therapy

Language Development Disorders - psychology

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy

Motivation

Adolescent

Ambulatory Care Facilities

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology

Female

Intellectual Disability - psychology

Child

Behavior Therapy - methods

Details

Title: Subtitle: Analysis of the effects of task preferences, task demands, and adult attention on child behavior in outpatient and classroom settings
Creators: Linda J Cooper - Division of Developmental Disabilities, University Hospital School, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242
David P Wacker
Deanna Thursby
Lee Ann Plagmann
Jay Harding
Thomas Millard
Mark Derby
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of applied behavior analysis, Vol.25(4), pp.823-840
DOI: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-823
PMID: 1478905
PMCID: PMC1279767
NLM abbreviation: J Appl Behav Anal
ISSN: 0021-8855
eISSN: 1938-3703
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 1992
Academic Unit: Pediatric Psychology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Record Identifier: 9983993499602771

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