Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.
Jade Wightman1, Flávia Julio1 and Javier Virués-Ortega1,2,3
1 University of Manitoba,
2 St. Amant Research Centre and
3 University of Auckland
Background: Experimental functional analysis is an assessment methodology to identify the environmental factors that maintain problem behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities and in other populations. Functional analysis provides the basis for the development of reinforcement-based approaches to treatment. Methods: This article reviews the procedures, validity, and clinical implementation of the methodological variations of functional analysis and function-based interventions. Results: We present six variations of functional analysis methodology in addition to the typical functional analysis: brief functional analysis, single-function tests, latency-based functional analysis, functional analysis of precursors, and trial-based functional analysis. We also present the three general categories of function-based interventions: extinction, antecedent manipulation, and differential reinforcement. Conclusions: Functional analysis methodology is a valid and efficient approach to the assessment of problem behavior and the selection of treatment strategies.
Avances en los enfoques indirecto, descriptivo y experimental del análisis funcional de la conducta problema. Antecedentes: el análisis funcional experimental permite identificar los factores del entorno que mantienen y exacerban los problemas de conducta en personas con trastornos del desarrollo y otras poblaciones, siendo esencial para el desarrollo de procedimientos de intervención centrados en el uso de reforzamiento. Método: en este artículo se revisa el procedimiento, validez y aplicación clínica de las variaciones metodológicas del análisis e intervención funcionales. Resultados: se presenta el análisis funcional típico, breve, de función única, de cribado, de latencia, de precursores y de ensayos, y tres categorías de intervención funcional: retirada del reforzador, alteración de operaciones motivadoras y reforzamiento diferencial. Conclusiones: el análisis funcional es una metodología eficiente y válida para la evaluación de problemas de conducta y para la selección de estrategias de tratamiento.
SPANISH
ENGLISH
https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2013.142