1- Precursors are behaviors that the individual engages in before the target behavior that indicates the target behavior is about to occur. â It may still be âinappropriate,â but initially is NOT the target behavior. Precursors do not always occur but do frequently occur.
EX: A dog bites a person
precursor behavior: Dog growls
Ex: Juan hits his roommate
Precursor behaviors: 1. Juan begins pacing back and forth. 2. Juan speaks in a louder voice than usual.
ACTIVITY
From the table below: Picture a child engaging in each behavior in column # 1. Write a possible precursor behavior in column # 2
Column#1Problem behavior Column#2 Precursor
hitting peers
property destruction
fleeing work area
pinching caregiver
2- Setting events
A setting event is the environment (i.e. bus, playground, bathroom), ecological event (i.e. lack of sleep, medication), or activity (i.e. math time, playing with Legos) that sets up an antecedent to trigger the occurrence of a behavior. â It is an antecedent but not the immediate antecedent that triggers the response. Without the Setting Event â a certain Antecedent does not trigger a target behavior. â The same antecedent can trigger a different behavior in a different setting event â¢
More information about setting events can be found in the presentation “Functional Assessment of Behavior” in class videos.
Or, your handbook: OâNeill, R. E., Horner, R. H., Albin, R. W., Sprague, J. R., Storey, K., & Newton, J. S. (1997). Functional
Assessment and Program Development for Problem Behavior: A Practical Handbook.
EX:
Julie is a 6 year old who only got 4 hours of sleep last night. The next day at school, she is told “no” and engages in a severe tantrum.
Behavior: tantrum. Antecedent: Told “no”. Setting event: Lack of sleep
ACTIVITY
From the table below: Picture a child engaging in each behavior in column # 1. Write a possible setting event in column # 2
Column#1Problem behavior Column#2Setting event
hitting peers
property destruction
fleeing work area
pinching caregiver