Comparison of Three Procedures in Reducing Self-injurious Behavior

In the present study the effects of withdrawal of food, withdrawal of attention, and the simultaneous withdrawal of food and attention on the rate of self-injurious behavior of three profoundly retarded girls during mealtime were investigated. The two treatments that prevented eating led to a marked reduction of self-injurious behavior. Application of the method allowing continuation of eating (withdrawal of attention) resulted in an increased rate of two subjects' self-injurious behavior and had little effect on the rate of self-injurious behavior of the third. An analysis of the data suggests that contingent interruption of meal consumption can reduce the behavior and that rates of self-injurious behavior vary as a result of reinforcement.