Guide to doing a functional analysis

In psychology we find multiple techniques and methodologies to work on the behaviors and emotions of patients. One of them is the functional analysis of behavior, a tool that allows us to identify the antecedents and consequences of a certain behavior, in order to understand in what contexts it appears, with what function, for what, etc. However, it goes further: it is also focused on determining what factors maintain that behavior, what factors were relevant in its acquisition, etc.

Thus, it is a tool specific to psychology (more specifically, psychotherapy), through which we seek to understand why a behavior appears, is maintained and disappears. Its objective is to offer a functional vision of that behavior and help the patient change, reduce or eliminate it. But how to carry out a good functional analysis? We leave you a brief guide with 9 steps to do it.

What is functional analysis and what is it for?

As we said, functional analysis allows us to analyze why certain behaviors increase or decrease at certain times, areas, contexts… In this way, it is a work methodology (typical of behavioral orientation) that aims to answer the question: What makes a person behave in X way?

According to García and Vallejo (1993), in the context of functional analysis (or more specifically, behavioral analysis) the environment is considered in terms of stimuli; in it, The responses (or behaviors) can be cognitive, motor or physiological.. Thus, through functional analysis, we understand behavior as “responses”, which implies a temporal relationship with the stimulating conditions that precede them.

Guide to doing a functional analysis

How to carry out a functional analysis of behavior? We offer you a brief guide with the steps to follow to carry out this task, so interesting and useful in the psychotherapeutic field. To do this, we will resort to the 9 steps proposed by García and Vallejo (1993):

1. Definition of the problem behavior or behaviors

The first step to carry out a good functional analysis will be Identify and define the problem behavior or behaviors. We understand by problem behavior that which we want to analyze, study, reduce, increase… That is, the one on which we will focus (or the one that generates discomfort, the one that we want to change), which is usually part of the reason for the request/consultation of the patient.

2. Analysis of the responses

It is about analyzing the subject’s responses; that is, those that we are studying. As we have mentioned previously, the behaviors here acquire the nomenclature of “responses”.

3. Analysis of antecedent stimuli

In this step, We will analyze what precedes the behavior. That is, what stimuli are present at the time of the behavior. For example, if the problem behavior is a child yelling and getting angry, the antecedent may be that her parent has set a limit for her.

4. Analysis of consequent stimuli

The consequents must also be analyzed. With consequences we understand the consequences of behavior; that is, what happens after the appearance of the problem behavior (both positive, negative or neutral). Continuing with the previous example, the consequence could be that the parent withdraws attention from the child.

5. Self-control strategies

Once the “thick” part of the functional analysis process has been completed (identifying the behavior, its antecedents and its consequences), there are still some steps left. At this point, we will analyze What self-control strategies does the patient have to deal with his or her problem behavior?.

6. Subject resources

In line with the previous point, we will also study what resources the subject has to deal with their problem behaviors. By resources We understand all those strategies, measures or actions that allow a person to solve a problem. or deal effectively with a certain situation. We will also have to find out if they are activated when the problem behavior appears.

7. Behavior maintenance factors or problem behaviors

The maintenance factors of problem behavior They are those who ensure that it does not go extinct. Continuing with the aforementioned example of the child who screams when he gets angry, a maintaining factor could be that the mother, when the father withdraws attention from him, hugs him to calm him down.

8. Relevant factors in the acquisition of the problem

To carry out a good functional analysis of behavior, it will also be important to detect which factors are relevant in the acquisition of the problem. That is to say, What could have caused this behavior? Why has it appeared? What stimuli are related to its appearance and acquisition? It is about returning to the origin, to the cause, to better understand this behavior.

9. Treatment program to follow

Finally, the last step of functional analysis is design a treatment program to follow personalized for each patient and behavior. To do this, we must be clear about what intervention objectives we want to work with the person, that is, what we want to achieve, in what period of time and in what way.

We have offered a possible guide for doing a functional analysis of behavior; However, in other sources you can find guides that vary slightly in some of their steps. Of course, the most important thing about this process is write down all relevant case information, use detailed recording proceduresobserve, etc., to clearly identify what precedes the problem behavior and what consequences it has for it to continue.

All human behaviors always have a reason (and a purpose); Getting to know these elements allows us to get a little closer to the human mind and behavior, and therefore, as therapists, help the person in front of us.

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