Concepts of Causation in the Behavioral Assessment Paradigm

Abstract

Causation is a central concept of the behavioral assessment paradigm. Causal concepts and causal models of clients strongly affect assessment strategies and intervention decisions. Behavioral interventions are often designed to modify the hypothesized causes of a client’s behavior problems and are often based on causal models of the client’s behavior problems. The focus of an intervention program is often guided by the results of preintervention assessment, which identifies causal relations that are most likely to be important and clinically useful for a client’s behavior problems and treatment goals.