The Application of Response Allocation Matching to Understanding Risk Mechanisms in Development: The Case of Young Children's Deviant Talk and Play, and Risk for Early-Onset Antisocial Behavior

The application of matching law-response choice paradigm in longitudinal research to identify social environmental and organismic factors that increment risk for the development of maladaptive behavior is described. The fit of data to the matching relation can be used to specify environmental contingencies for problem behavior that may be targeted in preventive and clinical interventions. Deviations in the fit of the data from that predicted by the matching relation can also be used to identify sources of variability in individuals' responsiveness to standardized, contingency-based interventions. The proposed formulation is described in relation to the development and treatment of early-onset conduct problems.