What are interventions designed to prevent problem behaviors called?

Interventions designed to prevent problem behaviors are termed antecedent interventions. These strategies focus on modifying or addressing factors in the environment that could trigger or lead to undesirable behaviors before they occur. By identifying and altering these antecedent conditions, behavior analysts can effectively reduce the likelihood of maladaptive behaviors happening in the first place.

Antecedent interventions might include implementing structured routines, providing clear expectations, modifying the environment to decrease distractions, or teaching more appropriate replacement behaviors. The key here is proactive management, which helps create an environment that is conducive to positive behavior.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of behavior management. Consequential interventions typically address the consequences that follow a behavior, aiming to reinforce or discourage certain actions after they occur. Extinction procedures involve discontinuing a reinforcement that maintains a problematic behavior, effectively reducing its occurrence over time. Behavior modification techniques encompass a broader range of methods that may include both antecedent and consequent strategies but do not specifically highlight the prevention focus as antecedent interventions do.