1. Antecedent Control Procedures
Chapter 16
Antecedent Control Procedures

2. Antecedent Control Procedures
Based on functional assessment information
One of three functional, nonaversive interventions
Involves altering the environment in advance of the target behavior
Addresses antecedents rather than consequences of operant behavior
Addresses consequences indirectly through manipulation of establishing operations
Increases the probability of the desirable target behavior and decreases the probability of undesirable alternative behavior
Also called stimulus control procedures or situational inducement

3. Procedures to Increase the Probability of the Desirable Target Behavior
1. Present SD or cues for desirable behavior
2. Present EO for desirable behavior
3. Decrease response effort for desirable behavior

4. Present SD or cues for desirable behavior
The desirable behavior is under the stimulus control of the SD
When the SD is present, the behavior is more likely
Cues serve as prompts or reminders
Examples:

5. Examples: Presenting SDs or cues
Seating arrangement to facilitate conversation in a nursing home
Reminder to floss on the bathroom mirror
Fruit in the fridge
Going to the library to study
Activity placemats at restaurants

6. Present EO for desirable behavior
An EO makes the reinforcer for the desirable behavior more potent
An EO increases the probability of the desirable behavior
Examples:

7. Examples: Presenting EOs
No snacks before meal time
Arrange a contact for getting work done
No naps to make sleeping more likely at night
Pictures of rotten teeth to make flossing more likely
Decrease wait time for MR person who has to stand in line at a store

8. Decrease response effort for desirable behavior
A behavior is more probable when it requires less response effort than does a concurrent operant
Response effort may be decreased through environmental manipulation
Examples:

9. Examples: Decreasing response effort
Recycling box next to desk
Healthy foods in easy reach
Books in backpack
Easy to use car seats
Coffee shop on every corner

10. Procedures to Decrease the Probability of Competing (Undesirable) Behavior
1. Remove SDs or cues for competing behaviors
2. Eliminate EOs for competing behaviors
3. Increase response effort for competing behavior

11. Remove SDs or cues for competing behaviors
In the absence of the SD, the competing behavior is less likely
Examples:

12. Examples: Removing SDs or cues
Get junk food out of the house
Keep partying friends out of your place at study time
Separate fighting kids at the restaurant
Don’t drive past McDonalds after school

13. Eliminate EOs for competing behaviors
Without an EO, the reinforcer for competing behavior will not be potent
Without an EO, the competing behavior is less likely to occur
Examples:

14. Examples: Removing EOs
Curriculum modifications to reduce problem behavior maintained by escape
Noncontingent attention, tangibles, or breaks
Provide choice of activities
Pain relief
Mood induction
Food shopping only after eating

15. Increase response effort for competing behavior
A behavior that requires more response effort than a concurrent operant is less likely
Response effort is increased through environmental manipulation
Examples:

16. Examples: Increase response effort
No change in pockets/purse for candy machines
No junk food in the house
Seat aggressive person away from victim
Keep trash can away from desk (recycle box on desk)

17. Using Antecedent Control Procedures
Assess antecedents and consequences for desirable behavior and competing behavior
Assess response effort for desirable and competing behaviors
Determine which relevant SDs and EOs you can manipulate
Determine whether you can manipulate response effort for desirable or competing behaviors

18. Factors that influence the use of antecedent control procedures
Have you identified the relevant antecedents?
Can these antecedents be altered?
How acceptable will it be to alter these antecedents?