Antecedent Intervention
Also called: antecedent strategy, antecedent manipulation, proactive strategy
Definition
A change made to the environment or the conditions preceding a behavior so that the behavior becomes less likely to occur at all, rather than being addressed after it happens. Examples include altering task demands, offering choice, and adjusting motivating conditions.
In plain language
Changing things before the behavior happens so it is less likely in the first place. You adjust the setting or the task instead of waiting and reacting.
Examples
A written plan schedules a break every ten minutes rather than waiting for a learner to become distressed.
Offering a choice between two tasks, both of which meet the same goal.
Not antecedent intervention
Withholding the consequence that has maintained a behavior, which acts after the behavior rather than before it.
Adding a reward after a behavior occurs. That is a consequence, whatever else it does.
See also
Written from
- iwata-1982-1994
Written from the functional-analysis literature on antecedent-based treatment. No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.