isodes of aggression per day was significantly high and merited intervention.The results of the intervention phase of treatment revealed a sharp increase of verbal aggression over the first three weeks. This increase is thought to be due to extinction. Afterwards, a gradual decrease of verbal aggression was noted during weeks 4 through 9. No data was collected during week 10 due to subject illness. The treatment phase ended with a weekly average of one episode of verbal aggression. After week five the subject stated that she no longer delivered the reinforcement after the behavior. She reported that the ability to control her emotions was in itself reinforcing and would maintain the behavior.DiscussionThe results of this program show that verbal aggression can be successfully decreased by identifying and avoiding its antecedent conditions. As stated previously, the subject used verbal aggression for escape from demanding or difficult situations, relief from stress, and avoidance of demanding or difficult situations. The behavior appears to be maintained through positive reinforcement. Because the subject is in a position of some power and influence there were relatively few consequences for the behavior. Ebbesen, Duncan and Konecni (1974) suggested that verbal aggression could be reinforced and maintained in such a manner. Since the most common form of verbal aggression was cursing, the method of identifying and avoiding the antecedents proved very successful. Infante (1995) used a similar method with young students. When replicating this program it may be appropriate to focus on the positive behavior rather than the negative. Instead of documenting the frequency of verbal aggression it may have been better to document the frequency of successful avoidance of verbal aggression. In this way we would help to internalize the strategy to maintain the behavior, as well as having a more positive and constructive program. A que...
