Abstract

HUNZIKER, Maria Helena Leite. After all, what is aversive control?. Acta comport. [online]. 2011, vol.19, n.4, pp. 9-19. ISSN 0188-8145.

Aversive control is present in most of the relations between an organism and the environment. However, this predominance has not generated a commensurate volume of studies among behavior analysts: in the majority of research in this area, only positive reinforcement in operant contingencies is arranged. This text assumes that a major development in studies of aversive control is a necessary condition for conducting behavior analysis in a more complete and balanced way, both in basic research and in applied conditions. The scientific meaning of the term "control" is discussed within Behavior Analysis, as well as the factors that characterize this control as "aversive." The analysis of the concept is functional, considering the relational probabilities between responses and stimuli that occur in a continuous interaction between organisms and the environment. We conclude that, regardless of their qualitative classification, the term "control" means that the probability of occurrence of an event (the controlled one) has changed by the occurrence of another event (the controller). This definition encompasses both operant and respondent relations. The bi-directionality of the control (between organism and environment) is considered the essential feature for the behavior to be understood as a dynamic process with continuous changes that produce individuality. Aversive control is then characterized by the "operations" (addition and subtraction of the stimulus), their "effects"(increase or decrease of the response probability) and the "nature of the stimulus" involved (aversive or appetitive). We conclude that the joint analysis of the operation and the effect is sufficient to define each behavioral relation, but does not help identifying the common factor that justifies their grouping under the name of aversive control. The development of experimental analysis on covert respondents (related to feelings or emotional responses) is suggested as an alternative criterion for the characterization of the aversiveness of the control to be defined more clearly without the use of circular reasoning or subjective considerations.

Keywords : Control; Aversive Control; Behavior Analysis.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )