[Possibilities of cognitive and functional behavior analysis and the resulting therapeutic interventions in a mentally retarded pyromaniac].

Apart from general educational and treatment practices there is practically no attempt in providing specific rehabilitation programs for the mentally retarded adult firesetter. After a brief review of cognitive-behavior modification approaches in self-control training, the authors report on a method which has proved to be effective in cognitive and behavior analysis under threatening penalty conditions in a case of mental retardation with a history of repeated firesetting. The treatment goals are derived from the functional behavioral and cognitive analysis of the problem situation, the developmental analysis including attitudes and attributions, the motivational and self-control analysis and the analysis of social conditions. Fire-setting is defined as an operant behavior under discriminative stimulus control. An individual treatment program relevant to the different therapeutic targets is established. The proceedings are described by the authors.