Nonlinear contingency analysis is a constructional approach that seeks to help individuals “establish patters the absence of which is the problem. It does not seek to directly decelerate or eliminate behaviors, thoughts, or emotions.
In considering the current presenting problem as sensible, as indicated by the costs and benefits of the disturbing pattern as compared to the costs and benefits of the currently available alternative patterns, behaviors can be developed to provide the same or greater benefits at less cost. The goal of establishing these patterns is to see a reduction in the frequency of the disturbing pattern as a function of an increase in frequency in other patterns that are more beneficial.
Linear Approach
When one is looking only at the variables related to the undesirable behavior.
Nonlinear Approach
Considering alternative behaviors and contingencies are considered.
Resources:
- Goldiamond, I. (1975). Alternative sets as a framework for behavioral formulations and research. Behaviorism, 3(1), 49-86.
- Goldiamond, I. (1984). Training parents and ethicists in nonlinear behavior analysis. In R. F. Dangel & R. A. Polster (Eds.), Parent training: Foundations of research and practice (pp. 504–546). New York: Guilford.
- Layng, T. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Nonlinear contingency analysis: Going beyond cognition and behavior in clinical practice. Routledge.
The Constructional Approach to Behavior Analysis 