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| Innovative Behavioral Applications in Mental Health Services: Continuing Challenges to the Biomedical Model |
| Tuesday, June 1, 2004 |
| 9:00 AM–10:20 AM |
| Conference Room 3 |
| Area: CBM/CSE; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Stephen E. Wong (Florida International University) |
| Abstract: Learning Objectives
Identify political and economic (non-scientific) factors affecting prevailing information about mental disorders and the most suitable treatment for these disorders.
Describe observational measures of two or more traditional "mental health" disorders, and offer tentative operant behavior analyses of these disorders.
Based on an operant analysis of these mental health problems, suggest social or environmentally based interventions for these disorders. |
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| Why Behavior Analysts Should Stick by Their Principles: Ideology and Pseudo-Science Underlying Mental Health Services |
| STEPHEN E. WONG (Florida International University) |
| Abstract: This presentation will give a brief overview of fallacies in medical and pharmacological models that are currently applied within prevailing mental health systems. Fallacies include: unreliable and invalid psychiatric diagnoses; overemphasis on clients’ pathological symptoms and failure to examine their adaptive functioning; the limited effectiveness, unknown therapeutic mechanisms, and serious side effects of psychotropic medication. Enormous shortcomings of the biomedical model of mental disorders have been shut out of public awareness by a vast network of information conveyed through mass media, professional groups, governmental regulatory agencies, client advocacy groups, and clinical trials evaluating drug efficacy -- all which have been demonstrably influenced by economic incentives and political pressure applied by highly profitable pharmaceutical companies. Recognition of these fallacies and this built-in bias of existing mental health systems should keep behavior analysts from deferring to medical and pharmaceutical industry propaganda and encourage them to continue research and practice according to their own scientific principles and methodology. |
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| A Comparison of Verbal Forced Choice and Duration-Based Stimulus Preference Assessment Procedures Among Adults with Schizophrenia |
| DAVID A. WILDER (Florida Institute of Technology), K. Paige Wilson (University of the Pacific), Holly Ayn White (University of the Pacific), Nicole E. Gravina (University of the Pacific), Paige Maxwell (University of the Pacific), Hiroaki Blake Wemura (University of the Pacific), Gary Howells (University of the Pacific), Adrienne F. Granadosin-Deanes (University of the Pacific) |
| Abstract: We compared two methods of stimulus preference assessment, a verbal forced choice procedure and a duration-based measure, to determine their utility in identifying preferred items among three verbally competent adults with schizophrenia. A subsequent reinforcer assessment was conducted to determine which items actually functioned as a reinforcer for each participant. Comparisons between the preference assessment methods were then made based on the results of the reinforcer assessment. Results showed that the verbal forced-choice method more accurately identified items as reinforcers than did the duration-based method. Results are discussed in terms of the correspondence between saying and doing among adults with schizophrenia. |
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| Escape Behaviors in Mentally Disordered Persons |
| CRIS T. CLAY (University of the Pacific), Holly Ayn White (University of the Pacific) |
| Abstract: Identifying the function of a behavior is essential in developing an effective treatment plan. The literature now supports the idea that bizarre speech in individuals diagnosed with a mental illness can be maintained by attention. Anecdotal information from clinical services suggests that other aberrant behaviors exhibited within this population are often maintained by attention as well. There is less information and research available regarding behaviors maintained by escape contingencies. Using clinical case studies derived from single subject behavioral interventions serving individuals diagnosed with a major mental illness, this presentation will demonstrate that behaviors are also maintained by escape. Specific behaviors where escape contingencies have been observed as well as a discussion on why this function may be difficult to prove using an experimental functional analysis will be included. |
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| Using Behavioral Skills Training to Promote Abstinence of Substance Use for Individuals with Mental Retardation |
| JENNY HARDEN (University of South Florida), Pamela G. Osnes (The Ohio State University) |
| Abstract: This presentation will present the results of an investigation of the use of the self-instructions component of behavioral skills training (BST) was investigated as an intervention strategy to promote abstinence of substance use for three individuals with mental retardation. BST consisted of self-instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. The self-instructions procedure was taught and practiced in an analogue setting and in vivo probes were conducted to assess whether or not participants returned placebo substances when they found them in non-training settings. A multiple baseline design across three participants was used to manipulate the self-instruction procedure. Results were varied across the three participants, but in general, it was shown that these individuals are capable of learning BST and demonstrating these procedures in a natural setting. |
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