| Abstract: | Discusses the phenomenon of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in terms of its frequency of occurrence, the people whom it effects, its various topographies, some treatment methods, and a behavioral analysis of its etiology. Studies that have used the positive reinforcement of alternative behaviors, withdrawal of positive reinforcement, extinction, and punishment to control SIB are reviewed and evaluated. Some ethical and practical considerations regarding the use of punishment for SIB are discussed. A discriminative stimulus-conditioned reinforcer hypothesis and an avoidance hypothesis are proposed to explain SIB in terms of learning principles. Some of the possible aberrant organic foundations of SIB are also discussed. (43 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
