A molecular to molar analysis of communicative and problem behaviors

Few studies have examined the relationship between communicative and proble m behaviors that are already present in a behavioral repertoire. In this st udy, a detailed microanalysis of the antecedents and consequences of aggres sive and communicative behavior of a 7-year-old boy was conducted. By using both descriptive and experimental methodologies, the data suggested that p roblem and communicative behavior were maintained an thin concurrent schedu les of social negative reinforcement. A molar analysis of the descriptive d ata showed that the relative amount of time allocated to each behavior was a function of the relative amount of reinforcement that each behavior accru ed. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of conducting descriptive analyses and for enhancing the efficacy of interventions for p roblem behavior.