Abstract
Provocative behavior is problem behavior by which autistic children elicit react from others. This study examined the development of provocative behavior from the perspectives of social interactions and understanding of others' mind. A case study of a boy with autism was documented between 2;11 and 6;5 by utilizing his mother's diaries, teacher's diaries, and videotape records of his activities at a nursery school for special needs children. The results were as follows. Four levels of social interaction were extracted, i,e., "no interaciton" (Level 1), "passive interaction" (Level 2), "active interaction which elicits others' behavior" (Level3) "active interaction which elicits others' psychological states" (Lavel 4). In addition, provocative behavior was observed in Level 3, but disappeared in Level 4. Finally, the boy was aware of others as agents in Lavel 3 but until Level 4 could not understand others as possessing independent psychological states. Provocative behavior was interpreted with regard to cognition of others' mental states and to attachment relationships.
