A comparison of sources of baseline data for treatments of problem behavior following a functional analysis

It is common practice in research on the treatment of problem behavior to compare levels of targeted behaviors during treatment to levels when treatment is not in place. Some researchers use data collected as part of a multielement functional analysis as the initial baseline, whereas others collect new baseline data following completion of the functional analysis. We evaluated whether the source of baseline data influences the reliability and efficiency of decision-making. Results suggest that similar decisions are made in regard to treatment efficacy using the different sources of baseline data, but using data from a multielement functional analysis as baseline may save time. Interrater agreement was adequate, but lower for some graphs than has been observed in past studies. Several potential explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.     

The functional anatomy of inspection time: a pilot fMRI study

Seven healthy subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain while performing an inspection time task. Employing a block-type design, the task had three difficulty levels: a control condition, an easy (200 ms stimulus duration), and a more difficult (40 ms) discrimination. Based on group results, there were widespread significant areas of difference in brain activation and deactivation when pairwise comparisons were conducted among the three task conditions. When the difficult condition was compared with the easy condition, there was relative activation in areas of the following brain regions: cingulate gyrus and some frontal and parietal lobe areas. Areas within the following regions showed relative deactivation (greater blood oxygenation level-dependent, BOLD, signal in the easy condition): frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe. There were overlaps between these areas and those found to be active while performing higher cognitive tasks in other functional brain imaging studies. These pilot data encourage future studies of the functional anatomy of inspection time and its relevance to psychometric intelligence.     

INDUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SWALLOWING RESPONSES IN INFANTS WITH DYSPHAGIA

A treatment package was used to induce and maintain swallowing with three infants who did not swallow food or liquid. Prior to treatment, they received all nutrition and hydration via gastrostomy tube feedings. The treatment package consisted of least-to-most intrusive physical prompts, an eliciting stimulus, contingent social reinforcement, and repeated trials to induce and maintain swallowing. The design combined elements of reversal and changing criterion designs for all three infants. The package was applied across feeding devices (nipple, cup, spoon), situations (liquid, pureed foods), and persons (trainer, primary nurses, mothers). The number of swallows or ounces per feeding (from 0 to 8 ounces) and the number of feeding sessions per day (from one to five) were progressively increased. In each case, the infant received baseline conditions alternated with the treatment package. Follow-up probes were done at 15 months, 21 months, or 24 months, respectively, after the last phase for the three patients. The package was successful in that the gastrostomy tube was no longer needed for Patients 1 and 3. Patient 2 maintained functional swallowing responses but received supplemental gastrostomy feedings because of unrelated medical problems. Results are discussed in terms of the need to isolate components of the package. The package can be used in cases in which the preexisting treatments (reinforcement with preferred foods, force-feeding) are not feasible because of age, physical fragility, or the lack of a swallowing response following the presentation of food.     

Absolutely independent axiomatizations for countable sets in classical logic

The notion of absolute independence, considered in this paper has a clear algebraic meaning and is a strengthening of the usual notion of logical independence. We prove that any consistent and countable set in classical prepositional logic has an absolutely independent axiornatization.     

An advocacy intervention program for women with abusive partners: Initial evaluation

Experimentally tested the hypotheses that (1) battered women are in need of numerous community resources upon exit from a domestic violence shelter, (2) working with advocates increases women's effectiveness in obtaining needed resources and social support, and (3) success in obtaining resources and social support increases women's levels of life satisfaction and decreases their risk of further abuse. The initial findings of a short-term intervention project designed to provide postshelter advocacy services to women with abusive partners are presented. One-hundred forty-one battered women were interviewed immediately upon their exit from a domestic violence shelter as well as 10 weeks thereafter. Half the sample was randomly assigned to receive the services of trained advocates who assisted them in accessing needed community resources. Women who worked with advocates reported being more effective in accessing resources and had higher levels of social support and overall quality of life postintervention. Although all women reported some decrease in postshelter abuse, there were no differences between those with and those without advocates, and abuse continued to be a problem for many women.     

Effect of sulpiride on amphetamine-induced activity and stereotyped locomotion

To investigate the hypothesis that sulpiride potentiates stereotyped locomotion at an intermediate dose of amphetamine, rats were assigned to one of four treatment groups (n=7 per group): vehicle + saline; 20 mg/kg sulpiride + saline; vehicle + 3.5mg/kg amphetamine; 20 mg/kg sulpiride + 3.5 mg/kg amphetamine. An automated tracking system was used to record distance moved and sequences of movements between quadrants in a circular open-field. The results showed that amphetamine increased horizontal distance moved, and increased the number and proportion of thigmotaxic trips around the perimeter of the apparatus. Sulpiride reduced amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and the number of perimeter trips, but had no effect on the proportion and maximum run length of perimeter trips. Thus sulpiride reduces the hyperactivity produced by an intermediate dose of amphetamine, but does not appear to affect the stereotyped nature of locomotion under the drug.     

Relating a Social Influence Model to the Role of Acculturation in Substance Use Among Latino Adolescents1

This study examined determinants of substance use derived from the theory of planned behavior as influenced by acculturation. Latino adolescents (n= 448) completed measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions toward substance use, and 2 acculturation components. The degree to which Latino adolescents were exposed to as well as use Spanish was unrelated to determinants of future substance use, whereas the degree to which they interact with non-Latino peers exerted a protective effect regarding future substance use. However, both acculturation components influenced the extent social influence determinants predicted future substance use. Intervention strategies may need to consider acculturation in order to effectively direct resources toward those psychosocial determinants of substance use of greatest relevance to Latino populations.     

Children by choice or by chance: The perceived effects of parity

In a study examining inferences made about couples based on their choice whether or not to have children, college undergraduates projected 1-year and 25-year life situations for a hypothetical couple who either (1) neither had nor wished to have children, (2) were presented without any reference to children, or (3) already had two children. This manipulation notwithstanding, most couples were projected as becoming parents. Female subjects saw having children as enhancing the quality of life of both partners, while males took the opposite view.     

Sex-role attitudes as predictors of contraceptive use among unmarried university students

Through a review of existing theory and research a set of propositions explaining contraceptive behavior among unmarried young women was developed. The paper tests the propositions with survey research data drawn from a stratified random sample of male and female students at a large Midwestern university. Findings suggest that nontraditional sex-role-related attitudes in conjunction with an internal locus of control orientation are predictive of effective contraception for women respondents. Neither variable alone or jointly explained contraceptive behavior of men respondents.Revised version of a paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Council on Family Relations, Salt Lake City, August 20–23, 1975. The research upon which this paper is based was performed pursuant to National Institute of Mental Health Grant No. RO3 MH26526-01. The author wishes to acknowledge the Bowling Green State University Faculty Research Committee and the Department of Sociology for their assistance in the early stages of this study.