Setting Events: Influences on Behavior

Setting Events

Definition

• Setting events are events that occur before a behavior and influence the behavior.
• They can be either internal or external.

Internal Setting Events

• Originate from within the individual.
• Examples:
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Hunger
  • Remembering a bad dream

External Setting Events

• Originate from outside the individual.
• Examples:
  • Loud noises
  • A peer saying hurtful things
  • A fight with a caregiver before therapy

Temporal Proximity

• Setting events do not have to occur immediately before the target behavior.
• Example: A client finding out their parents are divorcing may exhibit behavior changes days or weeks later.

Duration

• Setting events can be ongoing or one-time events.
• Ongoing Examples:
  • Dealing with food insecurity
  • Having persistent health issues
• One-Time Examples:
  • Stubbing a toe
  • Spilling a favorite snack

Examples

Caitlin Example

• Scenario: Caitlin wakes up and discovers her brother finished her favorite cereal, leading her to eat toast and leave in a bad mood. At the clinic, she yells "No!" and kicks her technician.
• Setting Event: Not getting her favorite cereal.
• Impact: This event put her in a bad mood and contributed to her behavior at the clinic.

Trent Example

• Scenario: Trent moved to a new, bigger house with his own room a few weeks prior. However, he misses his friends and feels like he lacks control. At therapy, he tells his technician to leave him alone, dumps the table, and kicks his toys.
• Setting Event: Moving to a new house and feeling a lack of control.
• Impact: Despite the move occurring weeks ago, Trent's anger and feelings of displacement still impacted his behavior at therapy.