Correspondence between traditional models of functional analysis and a functional analysis of manding behavior.
Reinforcing mands instead of problem behavior during FA can still identify behavioral function in most cases.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Four children who hit, screamed, or flopped took part. Each child first had a regular functional analysis. Next they had a manding FA. In the manding FA, the adult gave the reinforcer only after the child asked for it with words, signs, or pictures. No problem behavior was reinforced.
The team compared the results. They asked: Does reinforcing mands give the same answer as reinforcing problem behavior?
What they found
The manding FA matched the regular FA in three of four cases. When the regular FA showed escape, attention, or tangible function, the manding FA showed the same function. One child’s results differed; his problem behavior was automatic, but he kept asking for tangibles during the manding FA.
Overall, reinforcing requests instead of problem behavior still revealed the true function most of the time.
How this fits with other research
Contreras et al. (2023) found that descriptive assessments match FA results only half the time. The 2011 manding FA beats that rate at 75 %, so it is a stronger alternative than simple observation.
Torres‐Viso et al. (2018) later used the same idea. They first ran a manding FA that showed problem behavior was kept going by requests to rearrange furniture. Then they taught the child to ask for rearrangement instead of hitting. Their study extends this 2011 method into real treatment.
Lang et al. (2008) warned that FA results can change between clinic and classroom. If you copy the manding FA, test it in the natural room before you treat.
Why it matters
You can shorten FA sessions and stay ethical by reinforcing mands. The child learns a useful request while you learn the function. Try this when time is tight or when reinforcing problem behavior feels unsafe. Always confirm one clear pattern before you move to treatment.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Functional analysis procedures have been effectively used to determine the maintaining variables for challenging behavior and subsequently develop effective interventions. However, fear of evoking dangerous topographies of maladaptive behavior and concerns for reinforcing infrequent maladaptive behavior present challenges for people working in applied settings. The present investigation sought to evaluate the utility of an adjunctive functional analysis model that involved the reinforcement of mands rather than problem behavior and compared the results to traditional functional analyses. The results from the manding analysis yielded results similar to the traditional FA in 3 of 4 cases. These findings suggest that manding analyses may represent a useful assessment tool for difficult to assess problem behavior or for individuals in settings where consultative support is limited.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2011 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2011.07.015