Every behavior is exhibited either to gain or avoid something.  When learning to modify a target behavior, the first step is to find out what is the function of the behavior (gaining or avoiding), and then identify its purpose. 

Read Chapter 8, Formal Behavior Assessment, and Chapter 9, Functional Behavior Assessment, in your textbook. Then, read the articles, Functional behavior assessment (FBA) and Functional behavioral assessment: Confucting a functional behavioral assessment (FBA).

Complete the STAR legacy module, Functional Behavioral Assessment: Identifying the Reasons for Problem Behavior and Developing a Behavior Plan, beginning with the “Challenge” section and following the self-guided tutorial. Complete the following seven “Assessment” questions (also at the conclusion of the module):

• Describe a school-based example of two of the following: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, or extinction.
• Discuss at least two benefits of conducting an FBA to address problem behaviors.
• After watching the video (located in the assessment section of the module), and filling out the A-B-A analysis form on Kira (the girl in the white shirt), discuss what the function of Kira’s behavior is.
• Nigel’s problem behavior includes cursing, making derogatory comments toward other students, yelling, spitting, and shoving chairs.  Discuss the type of a measurement system you would use to collect data on Nigel’s problem behaviors and explain your answer.
• Using the information on the matrix for Nigel (located in the assessment section of the module), determine a possible function of the behavior.  Be sure to include a hypothesis statement.
• Look at the graph (located in the assessment section of the module). The objective of the function-based intervention was to reduce the instances of Nigel’s problem behaviors (i.e., cursing, making derogatory comments toward other students, yelling, spitting, and shoving chairs) during a twenty-minute small-group activity.  Discuss whether or not the intervention was successful. If you were the teacher, would you keep, modify, or discontinue the intervention?  Explain your answers.
• Discuss how you would go about evaluating an unsuccessful intervention. Include two specific factors that you would examine and explain why they are important.