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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 1992 Summer;25(2):433–445. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-433

On the relationship between self-injurious behavior and self-restraint.

R G Smith 1, B A Iwata 1, T R Vollmer 1, G M Pace 1
PMCID: PMC1279722  PMID: 1634431

Abstract

Many individuals who exhibit self-injurious behavior (SIB) also exhibit self-restraint. Three hypotheses about the determinants of self-restraint have been suggested: (a) Self-restraint is maintained by escape from or avoidance of aversive aspects of SIB, (b) self-restraint and SIB are members of the same functional class, and (c) self-restraint and SIB are functionally independent. This study examined a method by which the relationship between self-restraint and SIB may be investigated using functional analysis. Data were collected on the self-restraint and SIB exhibited by 5 mentally retarded males, while conditions suspected to maintain SIB were manipulated. Results suggested that self-restraint, like SIB, may be maintained by idiosyncratic contingencies. Implications of an understanding of self-restraint for the analysis and treatment of SIB are discussed, as are some general possibilities for future research.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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