Behavior Assessment: Conduct an A-B-C Analysis
Objective
To gain experience conducting an A-B-C analysis and to determine the function of a problem behavior.
Overview
An A-B-C analysis is conducted to help ascertain the function or functions of the problem behavior. An observer uses the attached A-B-C form to note occurrences of the behavior in question (B), the antecedents immediately preceding the behavior (A), and the consequences immediately following the behavior (C). Once several instances of the behavior have occurred,
the observer may have enough information to propose a possible function of the behavior.
Activity
View the YouTube video at http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/mcontent/behavior-abc-video/.
Use the attached form to conduct an A-B-C analysis of this child’s tantrums. What do you think is the function of his behavior?
Questions/Discussion Topics
- How many instances of the problem behavior (tantrums) did you observe?
- What were the antecedents to this behavior?
- What were the consequences to this behavior?
- What is your hypothesis regarding the function of this behavior?