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psyc406 > Behavioural Observation > Flashcards

Behavioural Observation Flashcards

1
Q

Behavioral Observation def

A

The recording of the observable responses of individuals
-> Draws heavily on theory & research tradition of behaviourism

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2
Q

What are the types of responses we examine? (3)

A

Responses that are observable with the NAKED EYE during a relatively BRIEF period of time in a PARTICULAR environment

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3
Q

Behavior is different from biochemical & neurological events because:

A

Biochemical & neurological events are NOT observable with the naked eye

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4
Q

Behavior is different from personality traits because:

A

Personality traits are “observed” only if behavior is aggregated over relatively long periods of time and in a number of environmental contexts.

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5
Q

Emphasis is on ___ behavior, quantification, ___ levels of inference, and assumptions of _____________

A

OVERT, low, environmental causality

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6
Q

Condition to Perform Behavioral Observation

A

Develop a set of rules – CODING systems – for extracting information from the stream of behavior

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7
Q

The rules/coding systems for extracting information from the stream of behavior specify: __ (7)

A
  • target behaviors
  • sampling of behaviors
  • dimensions of behaviors to assess
  • observation settings
  • observers
  • data recording
  • data scoring
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8
Q

2 Behavioral Categories

A

Molar and Molecular

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9
Q

(Behavioral category): Molar

A
  • BROAD units of behavior; e.g., “aggresses”, “plays”
  • Defined in terms of LARGER response units that have functional significance over extended periods
  • Capture psychologically meaningful behaviors but require observers to make INFERENCES
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10
Q

(Behavioral category): Molecular

A
  • More specific behaviors; e.g., “bites”, “smiles”
  • Defined in terms of smaller, immediate response units (i.e., specific sequences of motor movements)
  • Harder to interpret post-data collection, but easier to use and can be collapsed into molar categories for analysis
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11
Q

Operational Definition def

A

Clear, specific, and measurable description of each behavior to be observed that ensures consistency in observation and assessment

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12
Q

To guarantee adequacy, operational definitions should: (8)

A

(1) Be Objective and focus on directly observable components of the target behavior
(2) Be Clear, unambiguous, and easily understood
(3) Require little or no inference -> see examples in the slides
(4) Include Descriptive names,
(5) Include General definitions,
(6) Include Elaborations describing critical behavior components,
(7) Include Typical examples,
(8) Include Questionable instances to enhance clarity and applicability.

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13
Q

Selecting Observation Settings: What type of settings? (2)

A

(1) Naturalistic settings
(2) Laboratory/Analog settings

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14
Q

Naturalistic settings characteristics (4)

A
  • Naturalistic behavior – no constraints on behavior
  • Multiple kinds of situations
  • Multiple kinds of behaviors
  • Need access
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15
Q

Laboratory/Analog settings characteristics (4)

A
  • Greater control over stimuli
  • Increase chance of observing infrequent behavior
  • Possible sample biases
  • Limitations on sampling of situations and behaviors
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16
Q

Types of Recording techniques/Sampling procedures (4)

A
  • Real-time observations
  • Event recording
  • Duration recording
  • Interval recording
17
Q

Sampling prodecure: Real-time observations def

A

Recording event FREQUENCY and DURATION as they naturally occur without interruption

18
Q

[Sampling procedure] Event recording def (2)

A

Aka frequency recording or tally method
- When FREQUENCY of response is the dimension of interest.
- Recording each occurrence of the target behavior during an observation SESSION or within specified INTERVALS

19
Q

Sampling procedure: Duration recording (2)

A
  • When DURATION of response is the dimension of interest.
  • Recording the length of time from the beginning to the end of each occurrence of the target behavior
20
Q

Sampling procedure: Interval recording

A

Aka Time sampling.
- Dividing an observation session into brief intervals and recording the target behavior if it occurs within any part of each interval.

21
Q

Sampling procedure: TYPES of Interval recording

A
  • WHOLE-interval recording: Behavior is scored only if it occurs throughout the ENTIRE interval
  • PARTIAL-interval recording: Behavior is scored if it occurs only PARTIALLY within the interval
  • MOMENTARY recording: Behavior is scored if it occurs during the moment when the interval ENDS
22
Q

Observer effects/errors def

A

Systematic errors in behavioral observations that may result from using human observers

23
Q

TYPES of Observer effects/errors (3)

A

(1) Reactivity
(2) Observer bias
(3) Observer drift

24
Q

[Observer effects/errors] Reactivity def

A

Change in subjects’ behavior due to the presence of an observer

25
Q

[Observer effects/errors] 5 contributing factors to Reactivity

A
  • Valence or social desirability of behavior
  • Subject characteristics
  • Conspicuousness of observation
  • Observer attributes
  • Rationale for observation
26
Q

[Observer effects/errors] Observer bias def

A

Systematic error in assessment stemming from observers’ expectancies, prejudices, and information-processing limitations.

27
Q

[Observer effects/errors] Observer bias can be reduced by ______ (2)

A
  • Rigorous training
  • Use of low-inference observation codes.
28
Q

[Observer effects/errors] Observer drift def

A

A decrease in observer consistency and accuracy after training

29
Q

[Observer effects/errors] Observer drift develops when ____ (3)

A
  • A recording-interpretation bias has evolved
  • Definitions/measurement procedures are altered to suit changes in target behavior
  • Observers are bored or inattentive
30
Q

[Observer effects/errors] Observer drift can be reduced by ____ (2)

A
  • Providing continuing training
  • Calibrating all observers simultaneously
31
Q

2 types of Reliability of Behavioral Observation Data

A
  • Interobserver (rater) Agreement
  • Intraobserver Reliability
32
Q

Reliability of Behavioral Observation Data: Interobserver (rater) Agreement def & coeff

A
  • Consistency among data collected by multiple independent observers
  • Coefficient kappa: Agreement between two (or more) observers corrected for chance
33
Q

Reliability of Behavioral Observation Data: Intraobserver Reliability def & coeff

A
  • Consistency of data when a single observer repeatedly observes the same behavior
  • Test-retest reliability, equivalent-forms reliability, split-half reliability, Cronbach alpha
34
Q

Types of Validity of Behavioral Observation Data (3)

A
  • Content
  • Criterion
  • Construct
35
Q

Content Validity of Behavioral Observation Data: Questions asked

A
  • Has the universe of target behaviors completely and unambiguously defined?
  • Have the settings and temporal factors completely defined?
  • Does the coding system adequately samples from the behavioral domain of interest?
36
Q

Criterion Validity of Behavioral Observation Data: Questions asked

A

Have criteria defined at the same level of specificity as observed behaviors?

37
Q

Construct Validity of Behavioral Observation Data: Questions asked

A

Implications of molar vs. molecular behavioral categories for construct validity
=> molar = easier to assess overarching constructs; molecular = harder to capture the overall construct
=> molar = easier to test convergent validity (broad behaviors are more likely to correlate with the larger construct); molecular = harder to assess (may not correlate strongly with the overall construct or other actions within the construct)

psyc406 (21 decks)

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