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. 1994 Spring;27(1):21–31. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1994.27-21

Hypothesis-based interventions for tantrum behaviors of persons with developmental disabilities in school settings.

A C Repp 1, K G Karsh 1
PMCID: PMC1297774  PMID: 8188561

Abstract

We conducted a functional assessment of problem behaviors of 2 students with developmental disabilities in their classroom environments. Results of the assessments showed that although there were more tantrums in demand than in no-demand conditions, the function of the behavior was to gain attention (positive reinforcement) rather than to avoid or escape demands (negative reinforcement); demand conditions apparently served a discriminative function for the availability of attention. Therefore, intervention was based on the positive reinforcement hypothesis, resulting in a substantial reduction of tantrums for both subjects.

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Selected References

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