Behavior Trap
True or false: A behavior trap occurs when a behavior contacts reinforcement that naturally maintains the behavior over time.
True
What is an important reason RBT’s should collaborate with caregivers when creating behavior traps?
To ensure reinforcement occurs outside of therapy sessions (any appropriate answers)
If reinforcement is easy to obtain and meaningful to the individual, behavior is more likely to ____.
Increase
What are behavior patterns shaped by?
Responses that occur across all environments
True or False: People are more likely to repeat responses that work immediately.
A child asks for a stuffed animal toy at the store & when mom tells them "No", they throw a tantrum, throwing themself on the ground & wailing. Mom is starting to get embarrassed & everyone is looking at them so she buys the toy anyway to make the child stop. What is the behavior trap?
The child learns that if they engage in a tantrum they can get things that they want. The parent’s behavior is also reinforced because giving in immediately stops the screaming and further public embarrassment.
True or false: A behavior trap should manipulate a client into activities they strongly dislike.
False
How does teaching functional communication help decrease behavior traps?
Teaches children to communicate their needs appropriately & can replace inappropriate behavior with effective communication. Communication becomes more effective than the problem behavior. (any appropriate answer)
Reinforcement should be:
Immediate, consistent, easy to access, meaningful to the individual (any appropriate answer)
This term describes situations where a problem behavior is accidentally strengthened over time.
A problematic behavior trap
A teacher asks the student to pick up their toys if they are done playing since the student started playing with puzzles. The student says "No" so the teacher makes them stop playing. The student begins swiping the puzzles onto the floor & flopping on the ground. The teacher tells the student to go take a break in the calm down corner & the teacher begins picking up the toys and the puzzles. What is the behavior trap?
The student’s goal was to get out of cleaning up their toys so by getting sent to the break corner, they succeeded in avoiding the demand that was presented. In turn, this also reinforces their behavior of property destruction and tantrum.
What are some reasons that caregivers and stakeholders are more susceptible to behavior traps?
Busy group settings, social pressure, safety concerns, stress/overwhelmed, managing multiple responsibilities, limited time/supports, caring for multiple kids, etc. (any appropriate answer)
If a behavior consistently results in getting access to an item, out of something, etc. the client may…
Escalate more quickly when demands are presented, access is denied, aversive stimuli is presented (any appropriate answer)