A number of procedures are often described as a “Functional analysis” of behavior.
Definition: Procedures where either antecedents and consequences or consequences alone are systematically manipulated to evaluate the effects of their presence or absence on rates of behavior. A functional analysis may take any one of the following forms:
1. Analog Functional Analyses:
2. Trial based Functional Analyses:
3. Single Subject Experimental designs may be considered an “analysis” in conditions where the subject of the analysis is the “function” of a specific behavior or behaviors
All of these systematic manipulations and this they are functional analyses of behavior. A common misconception is that the term functional analysis refers only to an analog functional analysis.
General Practice Guidelines: