Functional Analysis Graphing Assignment (30 points)
Purpose: To master the skill of creating and interpreting a traditional functional analysis graph using an
alternating treatments design and proposing a function-based intervention based on the data obtained.
Guidelines:
1. First select a target behavior for the assignment and develop an operational definition for the
behavior. Review the instructions for the reliability assignment for tips on how best to write an
operational definition. Use examples and non-examples to provide clarity.
2. Describe each of the following functional analysis contingencies in an operationalized and
detailed manner: play (control), escape, tangible, attention, and alone. Anyone reading the
description should be able to implement the procedure. Clearly explain the contingencies in place
upon instances of the behavior and include the length (e.g., 10 mins) of each condition.
3. Develop a functional analysis graph with all of the above conditions included. Based on your
target behavior, select an appropriate unit of measurement for the y-axis. This graph should
not include a baseline condition. Instead, all conditions should be implemented in a
randomized fashion using an alternating treatments design.
4. Based on your interpretation of the functional analysis, identify a function (or functions) of
the target behavior.
5. In no more than three paragraphs, propose a function-based intervention with at least two
supporting citations for the proposed intervention. The citations should all be from peer-
reviewed journals published within the last 5 years. For instance, if your proposed intervention is
functional communication training (FCT) in order to address an identified attention function,
briefly describe how the FCT procedure could be implemented and summarize how the procedure
has been used in previous studies to address the same identified function.
6. Scroll down to review a template to use for the assignment (including a sample graph).
Submission:
One MS word document with:
1. Operational definition of target behavior
2. Detailed description of each functional analysis condition
3. Functional analysis graph
4. Identified behavioral function based on functional analysis data
5. Description of a function-based intervention with at least two supporting citations.
Scoring guide:
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