Sturmey P
Department of Psychology, San Antonio State School, Abilene, TX 78214.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1994 Dec;25(4):331-6. doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(94)90042-6.
Seven attempts to assess the function of self-injurious behavior in a person with profound mental retardation are described. Although repeated correlational and experimental methods were implemented to determine the functional role of this behavior no clear functions were identified. A clinical implication of this case and that this methodology is not all-embracing. Different assumptions should be explored after substantial efforts have failed.