Demand Conditionย is a component of functional analysis used to determine if problem behaviors are maintained by escape from demands. In this condition, a therapist or teacher places a task demand on the learner, and if the learner engages in problemย behaviorย (e.g., tantrums or non-compliance), the demand is temporarily removed (often for 30 seconds) as a form of negative reinforcementNegative Reinforcementย occurs when an aversive stimulus is ... More. This approach helps identify whether escape from demands is reinforcing the problemย behavior.
Example
A therapist is working with a student who frequently engages in tantrums when asked to complete difficult math problems. During theย demand conditionย of a functional analysis, the therapist presents math tasks to the student. When the student throws a tantrum, the therapist removes the task for 30 seconds, then reintroduces it after the break. If the tantrums increase in frequencyFrequencyย orย Countย is a simple measure of how often a par... More during this condition, it suggests theย behaviorย is maintained by escaping from the demand of completing the task.