Jon is a 6-year-old boy, with normal intelligence, who has a hair-pulling habit. The hair pulling occurs most often during periods of inactivity, such as during TV watching, quiet time in school, or waiting in line with his parents.

1. Define the target behavior in this case study.

2. What is the behavioral excess or deficit involved in this example? What are some of the possible short- and long-term implications of this behavior for the client?

3. Design a habit reversal procedure for Jon that includes the use of differential reinforcement and identification of an appropriate competing response.

4. Suppose that Jon was cognitively impaired. How would you change your habit reversal procedure to increase its effectiveness?