Area 5: Experimental Evaluation of Interventions- 5-1 d,e -5-4

Question 1

Multiple baseline design can be used as an alternative to reversal designs for 2 situations:

Answer 1

1. when the target behavior is likely to be irreversible
2. when it is undesirable, impractical, or unethical to reverse conditions

Question 2

The multiple baseline design takes 3 basic forms:

Answer 2

1. Across behaviors
2. Across settings
3. Across subjects

Question 3

What are the limitations of a delayed multiple baseline design? (3)

Answer 3

1. It is not a good one if it requires the behavior analyst to wait too long to modify important behaviors
2. There is tendency for the delayed baseline phases to contain fewer data points
3. Baselines begun after the IV has been applied to earlier behaviors in the design can mask the interdependence (co-variation) of behaviors.

Question 4

What are the assumptions and guidelines for using multiple baseline designs? (6)

Answer 4

1. Behavior should be functionally independent and should share a reasonable liklihood that each will change when the IV is applied to it.
2. Behaviors selected must be measured concurrently and must have equal opportunity of being influenced by the same set of relevant variables.
3. IV should not be applied to the next behavior until the previous behavior has changed maximally and a sufficient period of time has elasped
4. The length of baselines should vary significantly
5. IV should be applied first to the behavior showing the most stable level of baseline responding.
6. Conducting a reversal phase can strengthen the demo of a functional relation.

Question 5

What are the advantages of the multiple baseline design? (4)

Answer 5

+ does not require withdrawing an effective treatment

+ sequential implementation of the IV parrallels the practice of many teachers and clinicians

+ allows direct monitoring of generalization of behavior change

+ relatively easy to conceptualize and implement

Question 6

What are the limitations of the multiple baseline design? (4)

Answer 6

• if behaviors covary, the design may not demonstrate a functional relation even if one exists
• inherently weaker than the reversal design in showing experimental control because the verification must be inferred from the lack of change
• it is more an evaluation of the IV’s general effectiveness than an analysis of the behaviors involved
• requires considerable time and resources

Question 7

In a changing criterion design, the design entails a series of treatment phases, each requiring an ___ ___ of _____ over the previous phase.

Answer 7

In a changing criterion design, the design entails a series of treatment phases, each requiring an improved level of preformance over the previous phase.

Question 8

What are the 3 features combined to determine the potential of a changing criterion design to demonstrate experimental control:

Answer 8

1. the length of phases
2. the magnitude of criterion changes
3. the number of criterion changes

Question 9

What are the primary advantages of the changing criterion design? (2)

Answer 9

+ it does not require a withdrawl or reversal of effective treatment

+ it enables an experimental analysis within the context of a gradually improving behavior, thus complementing the practice of many teacher

Question 10

What are the limitations of the changing criterion design? (2)

Answer 10

• target behavior must already be in the subjects repertoire
• incorporating the necessary features of the design may impede optimal learning rates

Question 11

In a multiple baseline design, the functional relationship between the independent variable and the change in the subject’s behavior is determined by:

Answer 11

Observation of unchanged behaviors in other tiers

Question 12

Which experimental design is most appropriate for evaluating the effect of video modeling on the acquisition of the skills for preparing a meal by adults with developmental disabilities?

Answer 12

Multiple probe

Question 13

In a multiple baseline design, the independent variable’s function in changing a given behavior is inferred by the ___ of ___ in untreated behaviors.

Answer 13

In a multiple baseline design, the independent variable’s function in changing a given behavior is inferred by the lack of change in untreated behaviors.

Question 14

The multiple probe design is a method of analyzing the relation between an IV and the ____ of a chain sequence or successive approximation.

Answer 14

The multiple probe design is a method of analyzing the relation between an IV and the acquisition of a chain sequence or successive approximation.

Question 15

There are three situations in which a delayed multiple baseline is appropriate:

Answer 15

1. a reversal design is no longer desirable or possible
2. limited resources preclude full-scale multiple baseline design
3. new behaviors, settings, or subjects become available.

Question 16

____ occurs each time the level of the behavior changes in a systematic way when the criterion is changed.

Answer 16

Replication occurs each time the level of the behavior changes in a systematic way when the criterion is changed.

Question 17

All experiments in ABA must include these components: (6)

Answer 17

1. at least 1 participant (subject)
2. at least 1 behavior (DV)
3. at least 1 setting
4. A system for measuring the behavior and ongoing visual analysis of data (graph data)
5. at least 1 treatment or intervention condition (IV)
6. Manipulations of the IV so that its effects on the DV, if any, can be detected (experimental design)

Question 18

An IV can be manipulated so that it is either ___ or ___ during each time period or phase of the study.

Answer 18

An IV can be manipulated so that it is either present or absent during each time period or phase of the study.

Question 19

A parametric analysis seeks:

Example:

Answer 19

seeks to discover the differential effects of a range of values of the IV.

Example: If the relative effectiveness of providing three different amounts of money contingent on completing a task is compared (e.g., $1.00, $5.00, and $10.00),

Question 20

Component analysis is any experiment designed to identify the ___ ____ of a treatment condition, the relative contributions of different ____ in a treatment package, and/or the necessary and sufficient ____ of an intervention.

The basic strategy is to compare levels of responding across successive ____ in which the intervention is implemented with 1 or more ____ left out.

Exampe:

Answer 20

Component analysis is any experiment designed to identify the active elements** of a treatment condition, the relative contributions of different **variables** in a treatment package, and/or the necessary and sufficient **component of an intervention.

The basic strategy is to compare levels of responding across successive phases** in which the intervention is implemented with 1 or more **components left out.

Exampe: Donna demonstrates the effectiveness of a social skills training program consisting of instructions, modeling, rehearsal and feedback. Then, she attempts to validate the effectiveness of the program without instructions.

Question 21

Claire used a multiple baseline design in which a treatment to decrease hand biting was the independent variable. The treatment was presented sequentially across three different settings. What kind of problem might create an interpretational problem in this kind of design?

Answer 21

Stimulus generalization

Question 22

The target behavior is at a very low rate in Phase A. The intervention is introduced in Phase B and the target behavior increases to the desired level. Then, a withdrawal is done in a second Phase A. The rate of the behavior stays at the same high rate as in Phase B. In this case, the ABA design:

Answer 22

Provided no scientific evidence that the intervention resulted in the behavior change.

Question 23

What questions help to decide what behavior to change first? (9)

Answer 23

1. Does the behavior pose any danger?
2. How many opportunities will the person have to use this new behavior? or How often does this problem behavior occur?
3. How long-standing is the problem or skill deficit?
4. Will changing the behavior produce higher rates of reinforcement for the person?
5. How importante is this target behavior to future skill development and independent functioning?
6. Will changing this behavior reduce negative or unwanted attention from other?
7. Will this new behavior produce reinforcement for significant others?
8. How likely is success in changing this target behavior?
9. How much will it cost to change this behavior?

Question 24

Social vailidity should be assesed in 3 ways. By…

Answer 24

1. validating the social significance of the target behavior/goals
2. validating the social acceptance of interventions
3. validating the social importance of **behavior changes **

Question 25

A behavior is functional only to the extent that it produces _____ for the _____.

Answer 25

A behavior is functional only to the extent that it produces reinforcement for the learner.