What is "functionally equivalent replacement behavior"?

Functionally equivalent replacement behavior refers to the strategy of teaching a new behavior that serves the same purpose or function as an undesired behavior. This approach is essential in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) because it helps individuals learn more appropriate ways to achieve their needs or desires without resorting to maladaptive behaviors.

For instance, if a child engages in aggressive behavior to gain attention, a functionally equivalent replacement behavior would be teaching the child to ask for attention appropriately. This new behavior fulfills the same need for attention but does so in a socially acceptable manner. The goal is to reduce the undesired behavior while still allowing the individual to meet their needs effectively.

In contrast, other options might suggest alternative strategies, such as teaching completely different behaviors, modifying consequences, or creating behavior contracts, but these do not specifically focus on maintaining the function of the original behavior, which is crucial for effective intervention and teaching.