Functional analysis is determining the intent (or purpose) a behavior serves by manipulating relevant variables. There are two major functions of problem behavior: (a) to obtain something desirable, such as attention from others or tangible objects/ activities (positive reinforcement), and (b) to escape/avoid something aversive, such as a difficult task (negative reinforcement). However, two well-researched constructs from the social psychology literature—power/control and affiliation—may be valid outcomes for some students. The purpose of this article is to consider power/control and affiliation as valid functions for some students' maladaptive behaviors and describe how school-based manipulations for testing them may be performed.
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